Champions Senegal Lead the Way in CAF’s Official AFCON Team of the Tournament
CAF via its Technical Study Group has unveiled its team of the tournament, days after Senegal secured their second continental title with a 1–0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco.
The Team of the Tournament balances veteran leadership with explosive new talents.
The lineup is anchored by the tournament’s most dominant forces: the defensive resilience of the champions, Senegal, the flair of the hosts, Morocco, and the attacking power of Nigeria. At the base of this formation sits Yassine Bounou, who earned his place as the premier goalkeeper of the competition by maintaining an incredible record of five clean sheets, providing the foundation for Morocco’s deep run to the final.
The defensive line mirrors the modern game’s demand for versatile full-backs and physical center-halves. Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui flanking the defense provided Morocco with a dual-threat system that often functioned more like wingers than traditional defenders. In the heart of the defense, Senegal’s Moussa Niakhaté and Nigeria’s Calvin Bassey formed a formidable partnership of strength and recovery speed. Niakhaté was particularly instrumental for the Teranga Lions, marshaling a backline that famously refused to concede a single goal during the knockout stages leading up to their eventual title victory.
In the midfield, the selection highlights a blend of tactical discipline and creative output. The Senegalese duo of Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Gueye acted as the tournament’s most effective engine room, dictating the tempo of matches and providing a shield for their defense. Pape Gueye’s contribution was especially historic, as he netted the decisive goal in the final minutes of the tournament to secure the trophy for Senegal. Operating alongside them in a more advanced role, Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman emerged as one of the most statistically impressive players in Morocco, finishing the competition with three goals and four assists while consistently ranking as the highest-rated player on the pitch for the Super Eagles.
The forward line represents a terrifying assembly of world-class finishing and savvy. Sadio Mané solidified his legendary status by being named Player of the Tournament, contributing two goals and three assists while serving as the emotional heartbeat of the championship-winning squad. On the opposite flank, Brahim Díaz enjoyed a spectacular debut AFCON, capturing the Golden Boot with five goals in seven matches and proving to be the tournament’s most clinical individual finisher. Centering the attack is Victor Osimhen, whose four goals and relentless work rate ensured that Nigeria remained a constant threat to any defense.
