The stage is set for a historic clash of African football titans at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), currently underway in Morocco. The tournament, which kicked off on December 21, 2025, with hosts Morocco facing Comoros, boasts an unprecedented concentration of individual talent, with seven former winners of the prestigious CAF African Footballer of the Year award present in various squads.
Elite Company: The Magnificent Seven CAF Best Players
This edition of AFCON has become a showcase for the continent's most decorated individual stars. Leading the pack is the reigning champion, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi. Despite concerns over an ankle injury, the Paris Saint-Germain defender was included in the final squad, aiming to inspire the Atlas Lions on home soil after his award win in November 2025.
Nigeria's Super Eagles are uniquely represented by two recent winners. Ademola Lookman, the 2024 recipient following his Europa League final heroics, brings flair and versatility to Eric Chelle's attack. He succeeded his compatriot, Victor Osimhen, the 2023 winner who remains Africa's most feared striker and a pivotal figure for Nigeria's championship aspirations.
The list of legends extends beyond the current champions. Senegal's Sadio Mane, a two-time winner (2019, 2022), seeks to add another AFCON title to his legacy. Egypt's Mohamed Salah, another double awardee (2017, 2018), continues his quest for an elusive continental trophy with the Pharaohs.
Completing this elite group are Algeria's Riyad Mahrez (2016), the only player besides Mane on the list to have won both the CAF Best and AFCON, and Gabon's veteran forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the 2015 winner who, at 36, aims for a final shot at international glory.
Notable Absences and Super Eagles Setback
While the tournament is rich with stars, several top names are conspicuously absent. Cameroon's 2017 CAF Best winner, Vincent Aboubakar, was controversially omitted from the Indomitable Lions' squad. In a significant blow to Nigeria's campaign, inspirational captain William Troost-Ekong announced his international retirement just two weeks before the tournament commenced.
Furthermore, DR Congo's Yoane Wissa was left out despite recovering from injury, highlighting the tough selection decisions faced by coaches. These absences reshape the dynamics for several title-contending nations.
The Road to the Final in Morocco
With such a high caliber of individual talent spread across key teams, the competition in Morocco is expected to be fiercely contested. Each of these seven CAF Best winners carries the hopes of their nation, aiming to translate individual brilliance into collective success. The final is scheduled for January 18, 2026, where one of these stars could potentially lift the trophy and cement their legacy further.
For Nigeria, the combined firepower of Osimhen and Lookman provides a formidable attacking threat. However, as noted by former internationals, the team must gel perfectly under coach Eric Chelle to navigate a challenging tournament and bring the cup back to Nigeria.
