AFCON 2025: Best starting 11 by SNA

Edouard Mendy (Senegal): If he had a quiet match against Botswana, the Senegalese goalkeeper recalled why he remains one of the best on the continent during the matches in  Group D. Decisive against the DR Congo despite the goal of Bakambu, he was especially the savior of the Lions against Benin. By multiplying reflexed saves as the Cheetahs pushed for the 2-1, he secured first place in his group and preserved the confidence of a sometimes jostled Senegalese defense.

Calvin Bassey (Nigeria): Fulham Rock was the architect of the Super Eagles' defensive revival. In line with his solid performances during the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, he brought a tactical rigor and physical impact that were lacking in Nigeria. His reading of the game allowed to stabilize a rearguard that conceded only few frank opportunities.

Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo): A true 'demigod' in Kinshasa, Mbemba acted as a boss on the ground. Beyond his always clean defensive interventions, it is his duel won against the Senegalese attackers that marked minds. He remains the immovable pillar on which the Leopards rely to launch their counter-attacks.

Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso): Always well placed and of an Olympian calm, the defender from Leverkusen flew over the debates. His inch perfect interventions cut short many opposing offenses. Icing on the cake: his liberating goal against Equatorial Guinea which gave his team their first victory in this competition and allow them take a big step towards the eighth.

Alex Iwobi (Nigeria): Now at the heart of the game in a shadowy role, Iwobi has been the true lung of the Nigerian midfielder during the first two games. By systematically smothering the opposing creators with his incessant pressing, he allowed his attackers to play higher and with more freedom.

Carlos Baleba (Cameroon): The Brighton holding midfielder brought everything that was missing in the middle of the Indomitable Lions: youth, a silky technique and impressive physical power. He instilled a new dynamic, capable of breaking the lines with a pass or an acceleration with his foot.

Ademola Lookman (Nigeria): Elected by many as the best player in this group stage due to his overall rating, the Atalanta winger is the number one pathfinder of the Super Eagles. With already 2 goals and 2 assists (notably for Osimhen and Ndidi), he terrorizes the defenses with his speed and surgical precision in the final move.

Amad Diallo (Côte d'Ivoire): He is the last man standing for the Elephants. Finally blossomed in the national team, the young talent of Manchester United was extremely effective. His two decisive goals, scored respectively against Mozambique and during the clash against Cameroon, took the reigning champion to the direct elimination phase

Brahim Diaz (Morocco): For his first major African competition under the colors of the Atlas Lions, Brahim Diaz does not disappoint. Present in all good strokes, he handles the pressure with disconcerting ease. Co-top scorer with 3 goals, he is the creative spark that makes Morocco the big favorite at home.

Riyad Mahrez (Algeria): Criticized before the tournament for his alleged lack of form and motivation, the captain of the Fennecs responded on the field. With 3 goals, including a masterly brace against Sudan and a crucial goal against Burkina Faso, Mahrez guided an imperial Algeria (3 wins in 3 matches) to the eighth, silencing all doubts and especially rekindling hope.

Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco): He put an end to the debate on the name of the one who should be the front-line player. Entered the game against the Comoros to unlock the situation, he then regaled the audience of Rabat with a double against Zambia. His 3 goals, including two spectacular bicycle kicks, make him the most feared striker of the tournament and the perfect complement to Brahim Diaz.