Amid the confusion and controversy that trailed the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals between hosts, Morocco and Senegal, echoes of standout performers at the football showpiece are still reverberating across the global football space
Courtesy of the CAF Technical Study Group (TSG), football pundits and fans have talking points in the list that unveiled the Team of the Tournament featuring great names like Yassine Bounou, Idrissa Gueye, Sadio Mané and Victor Osimhen.
Though tournament winners, Teranga Lions of Senegal and finalists, Atlas Lions of Morocco dominated the list, the Super Eagles of Nigeria also made a strong showing in the selection process.
While Champions Senegal and hosts Morocco dominated the list with four players each named in the Best XI, as chosen by CAF’s TSG, Nigeria made a strong presence with a three-member contribution.
According to the continental football governing body, CAF, the Team of the Tournament was selected following an in-depth technical analysis conducted by the TSG, which implemented a fully integrated evaluation model throughout the competition.
This process combined remote and on-site assessments, supported by live data platforms, multi-angle video feeds and dedicated video analysts, ensuring a comprehensive and objective review of performances across the tournament.
The list showed that Morocco’s presence is led by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who delivered an outstanding campaign, conceding just two goals in seven matches. He is joined by teammates Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and Brahim Díaz, who finished the tournament as the leading goalscorer.
Champions Senegal, with the second continental title in their kitty, are represented by defender Moussa Niakhaté, midfielders Pape Gueye and Idrissa Gueye, and forward Sadio Mané, who was named Player of the Tournament following a series of decisive performances for the Teranga Lions.
Nigeria, who captured the bronze medal by beating Pharaohs of Egypt in the third placed match, also feature prominently with three players listed by the TSG. The threesome are defender Calvin Bassey, winger Ademola Lookman and striker Victor Osimhen, all of whom played key roles in the Super Eagles’ strong showing at the football carnival.
- TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
- Goalkeeper
Yassine Bounou (Morocco) - Defenders
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal)
Calvin Bassey (Nigeria)
Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) - Midfielders
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
Pape Gueye (Senegal)
Idrissa Gueye (Senegal) - Forwards
Brahim Díaz (Morocco)
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
Sadio Mané (Senegal
