CAF Unveils Team of the Tournament for AFCON 2025/26
The 2025/26 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Morocco, delivered a month of thrilling football, culminating in Senegal’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over the hosts in the final after extra time. This marked the Teranga Lions’ second AFCON title, with captain Sadio Mané leading the charge and earning Player of the Tournament honors. Morocco, despite the heartbreak of defeat on home soil, showcased their depth, while Nigeria secured third place with a blend of defensive resilience and attacking flair. As the dust settles on this edition, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released its official Team of the Tournament, recognizing the standout performers who lit up the competition.
This Best XI reflects the dominance of the top teams, with Senegal and Morocco each contributing four players, and Nigeria adding three.
You can also read on how the Super Eagles of Nigeria performed in the AFCON 2025/26 tournament.
The Formation and Lineup
CAF’s selection is presented in a balanced 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing defensive solidity, midfield control, and lethal attacking options. Here’s the full list:
Goalkeeper
Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
Widely regarded as one of Africa’s finest shot-stoppers, Bounou—affectionately known as Bono—claimed the Best Goalkeeper award. His heroics included crucial saves in Morocco’s run to the final, conceding just three goals throughout the tournament. Despite the loss in the decider, his performances were a cornerstone of the Atlas Lions’ campaign.
Defenders
– Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) – The Paris Saint-Germain star was a force on the right flank, contributing two goals and three assists while providing defensive cover.
– Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) – The Fulham center-back was a rock for the Super Eagles, winning aerial duels and organizing the backline en route to their bronze medal.
– Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal) – The Nottingham Forest defender anchored Senegal’s defense, which kept clean sheets in four matches, including the final.
– Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) – Versatile and dynamic, the Manchester United full-back excelled on the left, blending attacking runs with solid tackling.
Midfielders:
– Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) – The Atalanta winger dazzled with his pace and creativity, scoring three goals and providing key assists in Nigeria’s third-place finish.
– Pape Gueye (Senegal) – The Marseille midfielder brought energy and vision, breaking up plays and distributing effectively.
– Idrissa Gueye (Senegal) – Everton’s veteran was the engine room, with his tireless work rate and interceptions pivotal in Senegal’s title win.
Forwards:
– Sadio Mané (Senegal) – The Al-Nassr forward’s leadership and clutch moments, including the extra-time winner in the final, earned him Player of the Tournament. He tallied four goals and two assists.
– Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – The Galatasaray striker was a constant threat, netting four goals and embodying Nigeria’s attacking spirit.
– Brahim Díaz (Morocco) – The Real Madrid playmaker topped the scoring charts with five goals, his flair and finishing lighting up the tournament.
Standout Themes and Performances
This Team of the Tournament highlights the blend of experience and emerging talent that defined AFCON 2025. Senegal’s representation underscores their tactical discipline under coach Aliou Cissé, who masterminded back-to-back finals appearances. Morocco, as hosts, brought flair and home advantage, with their players like Hakimi and Díaz shining in high-stakes matches. Nigeria’s inclusions reflect their resilience, bouncing back from a semi-final loss to claim third place.
Notably, the selection process by CAF’s technical committee focused on statistical impact, goals, assists, clean sheets, and key passes combined with overall influence on games.
Players like Mané and Díaz not only delivered numbers but also inspired their teams through leadership and moments of brilliance. However, the list has sparked debates, with some fans questioning omissions like Senegal’s Édouard Mendy in goal or Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi in midfield, who had strong showings but didn’t make the cut.
AFCON 2025 will be remembered for its competitive edge, with underdogs like Comoros and Zambia pushing the favorites, but ultimately, the cream rose to the top. This Best XI encapsulates the tournament’s essence: African football at its passionate, skillful best.
What do you think, followers of Haba Naija? Is there a player who should have been added to this list, and which one do you feel doesn’t quite deserve their spot in CAF’s Team of the Tournament?
