AFCON Team of the Tournament


AFCON 2025 Team of the Tournament

By Habeeb Kuti – KutisabiFootball

After weeks of thrilling football, AFCON 2025 finally came to an end, delivering drama, quality, controversy, and standout individual performances. From heroic goalkeeping displays to midfield maestros and relentless forwards, the tournament produced players who consistently rose above the rest.

Here is my AFCON 2025 Team of the Tournament, based on performance, impact, consistency, and influence on their teams.

Goalkeeper

Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
Bounou was the gold standard between the posts at AFCON 2025. He recorded five clean sheets, commanded his area with authority, and produced match-defining saves in both open play and knockout situations. His composure under pressure and leadership from the back earned him the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award. Morocco’s defensive confidence began and ended with him.

Defense (Back Four)

Right Back – Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)
Elegant yet aggressive, Mazraoui balanced defensive discipline with attacking thrust. His intelligence in positioning and ability to transition play made him one of the most complete full-backs in the tournament.

Centre Back – Calvin Bassey (Nigeria)
Calvin Bassey was one of the standout defenders of AFCON 2025. Strong, athletic, and composed, he played a crucial role in Nigeria’s defensive solidity, helping the Super Eagles secure clean sheets in critical matches. Dominant in duels, confident on the ball, and tactically aware, Bassey consistently neutralized elite attackers and was a pillar at the heart of Nigeria’s defense.

Centre Back – Rami Rabia (Egypt)
Rabia brought experience, calmness, and leadership to Egypt’s back line. His reading of the game and aerial dominance were vital in keeping Egypt competitive throughout the tournament.

Left Back – Bruno Onyemaechi (Nigeria)

One of Nigeria’s quiet revelations at the tournament. Onyemaechi combined defensive discipline with intelligent forward runs, rarely caught out of position. His consistency, energy, and composure under pressure made him a dependable presence on the left flank throughout AFCON 2025.

Midfield

Defensive Midfielder – Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)
The engine of Senegal’s midfield. Gueye shielded the defense expertly, broke up opposition play, and provided tactical stability. His experience and positional intelligence were invaluable.

Attacking Midfielder – Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
Lookman was Nigeria’s creative heartbeat. He finished the tournament with 3 goals and 4 assists, the highest combined goal involvement in the competition. His movement, directness, and final-ball quality made him Nigeria’s most influential attacking player.

Attacking Midfielder – Brahim Díaz (Morocco)
Fearless, decisive, and electric, Brahim Díaz was one of the tournament’s biggest stars. He scored 5 goals, finishing as the highest goalscorer of AFCON 2025. Had Morocco lifted the trophy, Díaz would have been a strong favorite for Player of the Tournament. Even without the title, his performances were elite.

Attack

Centre Forward – Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
Osimhen led the line with intensity, physicality, and purpose. He scored 4 goals, bullied defenders, pressed relentlessly, and created space for teammates. His presence alone altered defensive game plans across the tournament.

Right Forward – Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Salah delivered when Egypt needed him most, finishing with 3 goals. Beyond numbers, his leadership, composure, and ability to attract multiple defenders made him Egypt’s primary attacking outlet.

Left Forward – Sadio Mané (Senegal)
Mané’s experience and intelligence were crucial for Senegal. While not always flashy, his movement, link-up play, and leadership ensured Senegal remained balanced and dangerous in attack.

Final Note

This team reflects my personal assessment of AFCON 2025 based on performances and impact. Football opinions will always differ, and that’s the beauty of the game. Feel free to agree, disagree, and share your own Team of the Tournament in the comment section—with reasons.

Football debate lives here..

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