AFCON 2025 Group Stage: Arab Power Shines in a Precision All-Star XI
2 January 2026
CAF Reveals Group Stage Best XI for AFCON 2025 in Morocco
CAF announced the official Best XI for the AFCON 2025 group stage, currently underway in Morocco.
Eight teams bowed out after the round, namely Comoros, Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Uganda, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea.
The XI spotlights five Arab stars, led by Morocco’s Ibrahim Diaz and Nassir Mazraoui.
Also named are left-back Ali Abdi of Tunisia, Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed Shenaoui, and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez to anchor a potent attack.
Surprises abound, notably the omission of Ayoub Kaabi, and the absence of Mohamed Salah and Ibrahim Maaza from the list.
The lineup, listed by position, runs as follows:
Goalkeeper: Mohamed Shenaoui (Egypt).
Defenders: Nassir Mazraoui (Morocco), Edmond Tabsoba (Burkina Faso), Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo), Ali Abdi (Tunisia).
Midfield: Carlos Baliba (Cameroon), Ibrahim Diaz (Morocco), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria).
Forwards: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Sadio Mane (Senegal).
The accompanying image captures the star-studded XI in action during the AFCON, a reminder that this tournament never lacks drama.
Punchline 1: This XI is so on target the net filed a complaint for unfair practice.
Punchline 2: If football were a sniper, this squad would earn the nickname Headshots—on goal, of course.
