The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially drawn the curtain on AFCON 2025 by unveiling its Team of the Tournament, a selection that reflects the drama, quality, and shifting balance of power seen across a memorable competition in Morocco. From extra-time heartbreaks to breakout stars, this AFCON delivered moments that will linger for years. CAF’s Best XI aims to capture those defining performances, with champions Senegal unsurprisingly leading the way after reclaiming the continental crown.
While Senegal’s dominance stood out, the team of the tournament also highlighted Nigeria’s resurgence and rewarded consistency from Morocco. As always, the selections have sparked debate, but they also tell a broader story about Africa’s evolving football landscape.
Read: New FIFA Ranking Sees Nigeria Climb 12 Places After AFCON 2025
Senegal’s Champions Set the Standard
Fresh from their 1–0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in the final, Senegal dominated CAF’s Best XI with multiple inclusions across the pitch. Midfielders, Pape Guess and Idrissa Gueye anchored the midfield, while Moussa Niakhate holds a centre-back spot. These selections reflected Senegal’s balance between defensive solidity and midfield control.
At the heart of it all was captain Sadio Mané, who was named “Player of the Tournament”.
Beyond goals and assists, Mané embodied leadership, resilience, and composure during the most tense moments of the competition. Senegal’s heavy presence in the Best XI felt like a natural extension of their control throughout the tournament, reinforcing their status as Africa’s benchmark heading into the next international cycle.
Nigeria’s Attacking Firepower Earns Recognition
Nigeria may not have lifted the trophy, but their AFCON 2025 campaign marked a clear turning point, and CAF’s selections reflected that progress. The Super Eagles placed three players in the Best XI, underlining both their attacking threat and defensive improvement.
Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman formed part of a fearsome forward line after consistently troubling defenses. Osimhen finished the tournament with four goals and two assists, combining physical presence with clinical finishing. Lookman added flair and creativity, contributing three goals and four assists to play a decisive role in Nigeria’s third-place finish.
Defender, Calvin Bassey completed Nigeria’s representation, earning the centre-back spot after a series of disciplined and energetic performances. However, there’s been reignited conversations around the absence of Alex Iwobi whose displays had drawn widespread praise. Still, Nigeria’s presence in the Best XI signaled renewed optimism around the team’s direction.
Familiar Stars and Talking Points Across Africa
Beyond Senegal and Nigeria, Morocco, however, did not leave empty-handed. Brahim Díaz who claimed the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer, was also in the starting line up alongside Yassine Bounou, who was named Best Goalkeeper. Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui both secured the two wingback positions in the XI.
Despite missing out on the trophy, the hosts received the Fair Play Award. Their individual honors also highlighted Morocco’s strong overall showing, even as debates continue around how awards and Best XI selections align.
CAF’s final Best XI reads:
Forwards – Sadio Mané: Left Winger (Senegal), Victor Osimhen: Centre-Forward (Nigeria), Brahim Díaz: Right Winger (Morocco)
Midfielders- Pape Gueye: Midfielder (Senegal), Idrissa Gueye: Defensive Midfielder (Senegal), Ademola Lookman: Attacking Midfielder / Winger (Nigeria)
Defenders – Noussair Mazraoui: Left-Back (Morocco), Calvin Bassey: Centre-Back (Nigeria), Moussa Niakhaté: Centre-Back (Senegal), Achraf Hakimi: Right-Back (Morocco), GoalkeeperYassine Bounou (Bono): Goalkeeper (Morocco)
Read: Pape Thiaw: 5 Things You Should Know About Senegal’s Coach
Final Whistle
AFCON 2025 will be remembered for its drama, its rising stars, and Senegal’s return to the summit of African football. CAF’s Team of the Tournament offers a snapshot of that journey, celebrating players who shaped the competition at decisive moments. As attention turns to future qualifiers and the next AFCON cycle, these names will continue to frame conversations around Africa’s footballing elite.
Stay with RefinedNG for more AFCON analysis, African football stories, and the moments that go beyond the scoresheet.