AFCON once again delivered a powerful showcase of pride, passion, and elite-quality football. From dramatic moments to unforgettable performances, the tournament highlighted just how far African football has come, and how bright its future looks.
Across the competition, several players rose above the rest. From established stars proving their pedigree to emerging talents announcing themselves on the biggest stage, AFCON was packed with standout displays. With the World Cup on the horizon, the continent has plenty to be excited about.
Here are some of the top performers who left a lasting impression during this thrilling edition of AFCON.
Yassine Bounou – Goalkeeper – Morocco
Kicking off our list is the goalkeeper of the tournament, Morocco’s Yassine Bounou. The Moroccan shot-stopper was simply immense, producing a string of vital saves throughout both the group stages and, crucially, the knockout rounds.
Morocco conceded just one goal in normal time across the entire tournament, a testament to Bounou’s composure, experience, and command of his area. Although Morocco fell short in the final, Bounou was comfortably the standout goalkeeper at AFCON.
Calvin Bassey – Defender – Nigeria
Nigeria enjoyed an impressive AFCON campaign, eventually exiting in the semi-finals following a penalty shootout defeat to Morocco. One of their standout performers was Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, who showcased exactly why he competes at the highest level in the Premier League.
Bassey was instrumental in Nigeria’s defensive solidity, with the Super Eagles conceding no goals across three knockout matches. He recorded 16 key contributions in the semi-final alone, underlining his importance and cementing his status as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s future.
Nayef Aguerd – Defender – Morocco
Another Moroccan defender who deserves recognition is Nayef Aguerd of Marseille. Often flying under the radar, Aguerd played a crucial role despite being partnered with three different centre-backs over the course of the tournament.
His consistency, leadership, and defensive intelligence marked him out as one of the continent’s top defenders. Head coach Walid Regragui summed it up perfectly: “He’s one of the best players in Africa. As long as we have Nayef, we’ll be fine.”
Pape Gueye – Midfielder – Senegal
Gueye will forever go down in history as a Senegal legend for his display in the AFCON final. Not only did he net two crucial goals in the Round of 16 against Sudan, but also scored the winning goal to seal the championship against Morocco.
The Senegalese midfielder’s spectacular display across AFCON, reminded the world of his ability at both ends of the pitch. Gueye plays his club football for Villareal, who are currently third placed in La Liga behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Ademola Lookman – Midfielder – Nigeria
Ademola Lookman finished AFCON as the tournament’s most productive attacker, registering three goals and four assists across seven matches. His seven goal contributions were a clear demonstration of why he was crowned African Player of the Year in 2024.
Lookman formed a devastating partnership with Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi, consistently unlocking defences with his movement and creativity. It’s a real disappointment that this exciting Super Eagles side won’t feature at this year’s World Cup.
Brahim Diaz – Forward – Morocco
Despite some controversy surrounding his behaviour in the final, Brahim Díaz was undoubtedly one of Morocco’s standout performers. He served as the creative spark for the host nation, scoring in each of their opening five matches.
Given his limited game time at Real Madrid, Díaz’s AFCON performances were a revelation. His impact will not have gone unnoticed, and increased interest could follow should he seek regular football elsewhere.
Sadio Mane – Forward – Senegal
At 33, Sadio Mané proved he remains one of African football’s finest. Named Player of the Tournament, Mané contributed five goals and assists while leading Senegal with authority, experience, and class.
Ahead of the final, Mané confirmed it would be his last AFCON appearance. What a way to bow out. Lifting the trophy as captain in his final match, he cemented his legacy as a true African football icon.
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