Sportglitz Names the AFCON 2025 Group Stage Best XI via Expert Panel
To provide a definitive verdict on the tournament’s standout stars, Sportglitz assembled a brain-trust of the continent’s most respected football journalists, including Nuhu Adams, Maher Mezahi, Alasdair Howorth, Angu Lesley, and Alex Cizmic. With decades of combined experience covering the African game, the panel scrutinized every performance to select the AFCON 2025 Group Stage Best XI, ultimately settling on a squad that strikes a masterclass balance between defensive stability and explosive attacking flair.
Drawing on this wealth of expertise, the panel has crafted a starting XI in a 4-1-4-1 formation that captures the blend of poise and breakout talent seen during the opening rounds.
The Defensive Bedrock
At the base of the formation, veteran Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy takes his place in goal. At 37 years old, the Pharaohs’ captain produced a legendary eight-save performance against South Africa that earned him Man of the Match honors. His presence ensured Egypt navigated a difficult group having conceded only once, acting as the foundation of their defensive success.
The backline is anchored by the central pairing of Edmond Tapsoba and Rami Rabia. Tapsoba marshaled the defense for Burkina Faso and famously netted a 98th-minute winner against Equatorial Guinea to secure both the three points and a Man of the Match trophy. Beside him, Rabia served as the unsung hero of the tournament’s tightest defense, providing the leadership necessary to keep the Egyptian lines organized under intense pressure.
On the flanks, Krépin Diatta continues his successful adaptation to the right-back role for Senegal, notably providing an assist against Botswana. Opposite him, Ghislain Konan remained an ever-reliable force for the defending champions, Côte d’Ivoire, anchoring the left side of the defense throughout all three matches.
The Middle of the park
The midfield is powered by Carlos Baleba, the Brighton star who has truly announced himself on the continental stage in his first AFCON. Baleba recorded an assist in each of his first two matches and finished the group stage among the top players for ground duels won. Just ahead of him, the creative duo of Geny Catamo and Brahim Díaz provide the spark. Catamo delivered an MVP performance to give Mozambique their first AFCON win in 40 years, while Díaz lived up to the home-crowd expectations by becoming the first Moroccan player since 1976 to score in every single group game.
The Attack
The wings feature the tournament’s most clinical creators. Riyad Mahrez showed he is still Algeria’s “Desert Fox,” netting three goals including a vintage Man of the Match brace against Sudan. On the opposite side, Ademola Lookman carried his world-class form into the tournament for Nigeria, registering two goals and two assists. His ability to drift inside and dictate play was central to a Super Eagles attack that finished as the highest-scoring side of the opening round.
Leading the line is South Africa’s Lyle Foster, who emerged as the most decisive striker of the phase. Foster was involved in four of Bafana Bafana’s five goals, with his match-winning performance against Angola—featuring both a goal and an assist—earning him Man of the Match honors.
Leadership and Depth
Managing this group is Eric Chelle, who has transformed Nigeria into a completely different team from the one seen during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Under his tactical guidance, the Super Eagles were one of the few teams to finish with a perfect record of nine points.
The squad is rounded out by a formidable bench, including the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané—who continues to lead Senegal’s charge—and Amad Diallo, who picked up two individual match awards for the Ivorian side.
