AFCON 2025 Team of the Tournament showcase Senegal’s steel, Morocco’s magic, Nigeria’s fire

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Technical Committee’s on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 released the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco team of the tournament.

The all-star lineup is more than a list of standout names, it's a portrait of African football at its finest. It's dominated by the continent’s three most compelling sides, the All-Star XI features four players each from champions Senegal and hosts Morocco, alongside three from bronze medalists Nigeria.

Together, the recognition of the eleven players of the three nations explained why the AFCON remains one of world football’s most gripping spectacles.

Set up in a 4-3-3 formation, the team is anchored by Morocco’s Yassine Bounou between the posts. The experienced goalkeeper was a model of composure throughout the tournament, producing reflex saves and commanding his area with authority as Morocco surged to the final on home soil.

The defence blends elegance, power and intelligence recognizing the efforts of Morocco’s Noussair Mazraoui slots in at right-back, rewarded for his relentless energy, defensive discipline and attacking thrust down the flank.

On the opposite side, Morroco's captain Achraf Hakimi was electric at left-back, marrying blistering pace with pinpoint delivery while remaining defensively sound.

At the heart of the backline is Nigeria’s Calvin Bassey forming a formidable partnership with Senegal’s Moussa Niakhaté. Bassey’s physicality and calm reading of the game neutralised some of Africa’s most dangerous forwards, while Niakhaté stood like a wall for the champions, dominating in the air and timing his interventions to perfection on Senegal’s road to the title.

Midfield honours are shared by Senegal and Nigeria featuring Idrissa Gana Gueye, who stood tall as the tournament’s tireless engine, that dictated tempo with relentless pressing and perfectly timed tackles, shielding the defence and breaking opposition rhythm.

Alongside him is his teammate Pape Gueye, whose influence went beyond control and creativity, his decisive strike in the final secured Senegal’s narrow 1–0 victory over Morocco and sealed AFCON glory.

Completing the midfield trio is Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, whose flair, vision and incisive passing unlocked defences and ignited counterattacks throughout the competition.

Up front, the Team of the Tournament sparkles with star power featuring Senegal attacking line captain Sadio Mané, who walked home with the Player of the Tournament Award, brought leadership, experience and a ruthless edge that defined his country’s championship run.

Morocco’s Brahim Díaz, who finished as the tournament’s top scorer, dazzled with technique and finishing to claim the Golden Boot, while Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen was a constant menace, his strength, movement and clinical instincts keeping defenders on edge as the Super Eagles fought their way to a record ninth AFCON bronze medal.

Though the All-Star XI comes without a named coach, it tells a powerful story of Senegal’s champions embodied steel and strategy, Morocco’s hosts blended passion with technical brilliance to lift a nation, and Nigeria’s third-place finishers showcased flair, resilience and belief.

Together, these eleven players did capture the spirit of AFCON 2025 and etched another unforgettable chapter in the rich legend of African football, one that resonated far beyond the continent’s borders.

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