Senegal emerged victorious in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Morocco, defeating the hosts in a final marred by near-riots and controversy. The tournament featured strong performances from star players and showcased improved infrastructure, though referee decisions drew criticism. Sadio Mané was named the best player, capping a well-organized event with 52 matches and 121 goals.
The 2025 AFCON in Morocco concluded with Senegal claiming the title, solidifying their status as the continent's top team, closely followed by hosts Morocco. The final was overshadowed by a chaotic ending, described as scandalous with near-upheaval, undermining an otherwise impressive tournament. Across 52 matches, teams scored 121 goals at an average of 2.33 per game, drawing a total attendance of 1,340,022 spectators, or about 25,770 per match. Morocco's venues and logistics impressed participants, setting a new standard for the competition's organization despite pressures on referees, particularly in North African clashes where allegations of irregularities and missed calls were rife. Only one major upset occurred: Mozambique's victory over Angola. Brahim Díaz led the scoring charts, while Yassine Bounou earned best goalkeeper honors. Key stars delivered, including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Riyad Mahrez, Nicolas Jackson, Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy, Idrissa Gueye, Carlos Baleba, Edmond Tapsoba, Ousmane Diomandé, Amad Diallo, and Sadio Mané. Breakthrough talents emerged, such as Amad Diallo, Bouzamana Touré, Sadiki of DR Congo, Senegal's Mbaye and Diarra, Mali's Ousmane Camara, 21-year-old Bilal El Khannouss, and Omar Marmoush. Elias Gaspar Pelembe (aka Domingues) retired after 124 caps for Mozambique, as did Uganda's Denis Onyango. Tanzania and Mozambique reached the round of 16 for the first time, narrowing the gap with powerhouses like Benin and Uganda. Financial disputes persisted, with Gabon refusing to play without compensation and Nigeria boycotting training twice. Post-tournament, coaches in Gabon, Angola, Burkina Faso, and Zambia were dismissed. CAF's All-Star Team included goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (Morocco); fullbacks Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui (both Morocco); center-backs Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) and Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal); midfielders Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye (Senegal), and Ademola Lookman (Nigeria); and forwards Sadio Mané (Senegal), Brahim Díaz (Morocco), and Victor Osimhen (Nigeria). Selections sparked debate, with critics favoring alternatives like Krépin Diatta (Senegal), Bruno Onyemeachi (Nigeria), Ousmane Camara (Mali), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria), and Mohamed Salah (Egypt).
