The AFCON 2025 tournament was concluded on Sunday, with Senegal claiming victory against the host nation Morocco in the most dramatic fashion, Soccernet.ng reports.
CAF, on their official social media page, revealed the tournament's best eleven, including some household names, while other key players were omitted.
Alex Iwobi, for all of his creativity in Morocco, was not included in the AFCON 2025 team of the tournament, but three Nigerian players were involved – Calvin Bassey, Victor Osimhen, and Ademola Lookman.
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Lookman, Osimhen join Brahim Diaz in AFCON 2025
1. Yassine Bounou
The Moroccan goalkeeper was the AFCON 2025 goalkeeper tournament, and deservedly so. The 34-year-old kept seven clean sheets in five games, and his expertise in the penalty shoot-out against Nigeria sent the host nation to the final.
2. Achraf Hakimi
The 2025 African Player of the Year went into the AFCON 2025 tournament with a broken foot, missing the first two games for Walid Regragui's men.
He returned to the starting lineup in the round of 16 clash against Tanzania, and as team captain, his presence helped Morocco in their run to the final, aiding Brahim Diaz on the right flank.
3. Moussa Niakhaté
The former Nottingham Forest centre-back played six of seven games for Senegal at the AFCON 2025 tournament, partnering Kalidou Koulibaly in defence.
Senegal kept three clean sheets in Morocco with Niakhate on the pitch, and he put in a brilliant shift against the host nation in the final.
Excellence, position by position. Meet the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 best XI. 🌟@Midea pic.twitter.com/DP3r3AzMiF
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 21, 2026
4. Calvin Bassey
The Fulham defender was the centre-back at the AFCON, unarguably. He played six games for Eric Chelle's in Morocco as they kept four clean sheets in his six appearances.
Away from his defending, the former Rangers man was key in the buildup play employed by the Nigerian coach. He missed the third-place game against Egypt due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
5. Noussair Mazraoui
The Manchester United full-back started the AFCON at right back before switching to the left upon Achraf Hakimi's return.
He provided the assist for the tournament's opening goal, while switching on defensively in the knockout games for the Atlas Lions.
6. Idrissa Gueye
At 36, the Evertonian bossed the midfield for Senegal in Morocco, playing every minute of the AFCON 2025 tournament.
He made the team tick, dictating tempo and switching play where necessary, but most importantly, set up Pape Gueye's goal against Morocco in the final.
7. Ademola Lookman
Lookman ended the AFCON 2025 as the player with the most goal contributions in Morocco, scoring three goals and setting up another four for his teammates.
Without a doubt, the England-born attacker loves the AFCON. In 13 games across two tournaments, the 28-year-old has scored six goals and five assists.
8. Pape Gueye
Simply relentless in running, Gueye's place in the AFCON 2025 best eleven is no less than deserved. The Villareal midfielder has a burst of energy barely anyone in the tournament could match.
Additionally, he's technically astute, and his brilliant goal against Morocco in the final is a testament to that.
9. Sadio Mane
The former Liverpool winger was the AFCON 2025 Player of the Tournament. He scored two goals and provided three assists in the Teranga Lions' run to the gold medal in Morocco.
Most importantly, the one-time UEFA Champions League winner showed what it means to be a leader on the football pitch.
10. Victor Osimhen
The 2023 AFCON Player of the Year was keen on making a mark after an underwhelming outing in Ivory Coast two years ago, and that he did.
Osimhen scored four goals in Nigeria's run to the AFCON semi-final, before an injury against Morocco knocked him off course.
11. Brahim Diaz
The Real Madrid winger has took the AFCON 2025 by storm. He was the competition's leading goalscorer (5), and has scored in every game leading up until the quarter final.
The only dent Diaz's tournament had was the panenka miss against Senegal, but Alex Iwobi urged the ex-Man City man to put his failures behind him.
