The AFCON 2025 is getting into its business end with the group stage now concluded, and the round of sixteen is set to kick off tomorrow, Soccernet.ng reports.
Senegal will lock horns with Sudan by 5:00 PM WAT, while Mali play against Tunisia by 8:00 PM.
CAF have now released the best performers per position from the Group stage games, involving big names like Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez and Ademola Lookman.
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CAF’s AFCON 2025 Group stage XI
1. Mohamed El Shenawy
The veteran goalkeeper was particularly superb against South Africa when the Pharaohs were a man down, making six saves and keeping a clean sheet against Bafana Bafana.
The 37-year-old will be crucial to how far Egypt go at the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco.
2. Noussair Mazraoui
The Manchester United full-back set up the first goal at AFCON 2025, providing the assist for Brahim Diaz’s opener.
Following Achraf Hakimi’s injury, Mazraoui made the right-back position his own, putting in solid performances against Comoros, Mali and Zambia.
3. Axel Tuanzebe
The DR Congo central defender was instrumental in protecting his side’s backline against Benin Republic and Senegal.
He was benched against Botswana, but his influence in the first two games was enough to get him into the AFCON Group Stage best eleven.
4. Edmond Tapsoba
The Bayer 04 Leverkusen defender found the back of the net in Burkina Faso’s opening game against Equatorial Guinea, before putting in another classy display against Sudan.
5. Ali Abdi
Without a doubt, the OGC Nice left-back has been the breakout star in his position at the AFCON 2025 tournament.
While remaining solid defensively, Abdi contributed offensively, setting up Achiouri’s goal against Uganda before sending his penalty into the top corner against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
6. Carlos Baleba
Genuinely a surprise inclusion as he’s not hit the striding heights he’s known for in midfield. However, he helped Cameroon qualify for the knockout stages of the AFCON tournament.
7. Brahim Diaz
The Moroccan winger has been the breakout star of the AFCON 2025. Brahim has scored in all three games of the tournament and is the joint top scorer alongside his national teammate, Ayoub El Kaabi.
8. Ademola Lookman
Lookman has rediscovered his spark on the AFCON stage. Playing with more freedom in Eric Chelle’s system.
In two games, the Atalanta forward has scored two goals and provided two assists for Nigeria, the most goal contributions in the tournament.
9. Sadio Mane
Two-goal contributions in three games for Senegal were more than enough for the Liverpool man to claim a spot in the Group stage best eleven.
10. Riyad Mahrez
Mahrez might not have the pace he once possessed during his time at Manchester City. However, in a more central role, he’s still exceptional.
A brace against Sudan and another goal against Burkina Faso sees Mahrez claim joint top scorer at the AFCON 2025 tournament.
11. Amad Diallo
The Ivorian winger was instrumental for the reigning AFCON winners against Mozambique and Cameroon, scoring two goals in two games.
11 of the very best.
Your #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 team of the group stage is here!#WePlayDifferent pic.twitter.com/NqGAkYXPvw
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 2, 2026
12. Eric Chelle
Three wins in three games, alongside eight goals, saw the Super Eagles’ manager named as the coach of the AFCON 2025 Group stage eleven.