Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen and Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have shared their predictions for the likely winner of the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Soccernet.ng reports.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong defied expectations when he clinched the MVP award at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire.
Despite the tournament featuring some of Africa’s finest talents, including Liverpool and Egypt's Mohamed Salah, Atalanta and Nigeria's Ademola Lookman, and Ivorian striker Sébastien Haller, it was Troost-Ekong who walked away with the prestigious accolade.
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The Nigerian centre-back, remarkably, scored three goals and helped guide the Super Eagles to their first AFCON final in ten years.
In doing so, he became the first defender since Cameroon’s Rigobert Song in 2002 to be named the tournament’s best player.
As preparations heat up for the 2025 edition, set to be hosted in Morocco, 24 nations have already secured their spots at the 35th AFCON. The competition will once again see Africa’s best players battling not just for the trophy but also for individual glory.
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When asked by CAF to predict the potential MVP winner at AFCON 2025, two of the biggest stars expected at the tournament, Victor Osimhen and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, were bold in their responses. Both players tipped themselves to claim the honour.
Responding to the question, “Who is your predicted Player of the Tournament for AFCON 2025?”, Galatasaray striker and reigning African Footballer of the Year Osimhen said confidently: “Myself .”
Self confidence level: #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/QaoL1Z4AZ1
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2025
When the same question was posed to Aubameyang, the former Arsenal star replied: “If I’m there, I will be the player of the tournament. Write it down.”
Aubameyang, Gabon’s all-time leading scorer with 33 goals and the first Gabonese player to win the African Footballer of the Year award, will be 36 years old when the AFCON begins in December.
Victor Osimhen and Wilfred Ndidi of Nigeria during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON qualifier match between Nigeria and Benin Republic at Godwill Akpabio Stadium on September 6, 2024 in Uyo, Nigeria. Photo by IMAGO
For Osimhen, who is the all-time highest-scoring African in Serie A, the tournament will mark his third AFCON appearance. The Nigerian striker won a bronze medal in 2019 and secured silver in 2023.
