Senegal and Morocco dominate AFCON 2025 awards

Sadio Mané named best player as Teranga Lions sweep honors

Following the dramatic conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially released the full list of individual and team award winners.

Senegal emerged as the big winners of the night on Sunday, January 18, 2026, after securing their second continental title with a 1-0 extra-time victory over the host nation, Morocco. The ceremony, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, celebrated the standout performers who defined a tournament filled with late drama and world-class skill.

The most prestigious individual accolade, the Player of the Tournament (Golden Ball), was awarded to Senegal’s talisman, Sadio Mané. The 33-year-old forward was instrumental throughout the campaign, providing two goals and three assists while displaying exceptional leadership during a chaotic final. This marks the second time Mané has claimed the award, having previously led his nation to their first AFCON glory in 2021.

Despite the heartbreak of losing the final on home soil, Morocco dominated several other categories. Yassine Bounou, popularly known as Bono, was named the Best Goalkeeper (Golden Glove) of the tournament after keeping five clean sheets in seven matches. His consistent shot-stopping was a cornerstone of the Atlas Lions’ journey to the final, though he was ultimately unable to stop the decisive extra-time strike from Pape Gueye.

Brahim Díaz secures Golden Boot despite final penalty miss

The Golden Boot for the tournament’s top scorer was won by Morocco’s Brahim Díaz, who finished with five goals in seven appearances. The Real Madrid star made history by becoming the first player to score in five consecutive AFCON matches in a single edition. However, his tournament ended on a bittersweet note after he missed a crucial VAR-reviewed penalty in the final seconds of regulation time, which would have likely won the trophy for the hosts.

Morocco was also honored with the Fair Play Award for their discipline and sportsmanship throughout the competition. Despite the intense pressure of being the host nation, the Atlas Lions were recognized by the CAF technical study group for their adherence to the rules and respect for officials. The award served as a small consolation for a team that many felt played the most attractive football during the three-week spectacle.

The third-place honors went to Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who secured the bronze medal after a hard-fought penalty shootout victory over Egypt on Saturday. The Super Eagles’ campaign was highlighted by their defensive resilience, although they were ultimately denied a final berth by the same Moroccan side they eventually fell behind in the final standings. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were also featured in the discussions for the team of the tournament.

Record revenues and commercial success for CAF

Beyond the on-pitch achievements, the 2025 AFCON has been hailed as a landmark success for African football’s governing body. CAF President Patrice Motsepe revealed that the tournament achieved record-breaking commercial success, with a 90 percent increase in revenues compared to the previous edition. This financial growth is attributed to expanded broadcasting deals and the high level of global interest in the talent on display in Morocco.

As the curtains fall on Rabat 2025, the focus now shifts toward the 2027 edition, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. For now, the Teranga Lions of Senegal sit firmly at the summit of the continent, having proved once again that they are the dominant force in this golden era of their football history. The individual brilliance of players like Mané and Díaz has set a high bar for future generations of African stars.