Senegal forward Sadio Mané has been named Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after inspiring the Teranga Lions to their second continental title with a dramatic 1–0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in Sunday’s final in Rabat.
The 32-year-old Al Nassr attacker finished the competition with two goals and four assists, including the crucial assist for Pape Gueye’s tournament-winning strike in the 94th minute of extra time. Mané’s influence throughout the month-long competition proved decisive as Senegal added to their maiden AFCON triumph secured in Cameroon in 2021.
The final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium required an additional 30 minutes to separate the two sides after a tense and drama-filled 90 minutes ended without a goal. Gueye broke the deadlock with a powerful long-range effort that flew into the top corner, sending the Senegalese contingent into jubilation and silencing the vociferous Moroccan home support.
The victory marks Senegal’s emergence as one of the continent’s most consistent footballing nations, having now reached three AFCON finals in the space of four tournaments. The Teranga Lions have evolved from perennial underachievers to serial contenders, with Mané serving as the symbolic and technical leader of that transformation.
Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, who was widely considered the most influential player for the third-placed Super Eagles, narrowly missed out on the individual honour despite an outstanding campaign. The 27-year-old Atalanta winger scored three goals and provided four assists across six matches, playing a pivotal role in Nigeria’s run to the semi-finals before their eventual defeat to Senegal.
Lookman’s performances in Morocco further cemented his status as one of Africa’s most dynamic attacking talents. He earned two Man of the Match awards during the tournament and has now accumulated six goals and five assists across two AFCON appearances, underlining his growing importance to the Super Eagles.
Deployed in a more centrally advanced role alongside reigning African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and AFCON debutant Akor Adams, Lookman’s attacking flair was central to Nigeria’s offensive potency. His movement and creativity were complemented by the fluid play of Alex Iwobi, who operated with considerable freedom in midfield, allowing Nigeria to threaten opposition defences consistently throughout the competition.
Only four Nigerians have previously claimed the Player of the Tournament award in AFCON history: the late Christian Chukwu in 1980, when Nigeria won their first continental title in Lagos; legendary striker Rashidi Yekini in 1994 during the Super Eagles’ second triumph in Tunisia; Austin Okocha in 2004, when Nigeria finished third in Tunisia; and most recently, William Troost-Ekong in 2023, following Nigeria’s runner-up finish in Côte d’Ivoire.
Lookman’s failure to add his name to that distinguished list will likely be a source of disappointment, though his contributions have significantly enhanced his reputation on the continental stage and reinforced his standing among the elite forwards in African football.
Hosts Morocco, despite falling short in their quest for a second AFCON title 49 years after their 1976 triumph, were awarded the Fair Play trophy in recognition of their conduct and discipline throughout the tournament. The Atlas Lions had carried the hopes of a nation desperate to see their team succeed on home soil, but were ultimately denied by Senegal’s resilience and Mané’s brilliance.
Morocco’s Yassine Bounou claimed the Best Goalkeeper award following a series of commanding performances that helped guide the North Africans to the final. The Al-Hilal shot-stopper, who also starred for Morocco during their historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, produced several crucial saves across the tournament’s knockout stages.
Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz finished as the competition’s top scorer with five goals across seven matches, earning the Golden Boot despite missing a critical penalty in the final. The 25-year-old’s prolific form was a highlight of Morocco’s campaign, though his spot-kick failure saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy late in regulation time will linger as a painful memory.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has now concluded as one of the most dramatic and competitive editions in recent memory, showcasing the depth of talent across the continent and reinforcing the unpredictability that has become a hallmark of African football’s premier tournament. For Senegal and Mané, the triumph represents the continuation of a golden era. For Lookman and Nigeria, it marks another chapter in a storied AFCON journey defined by talent, ambition, and the narrow margins that separate glory from heartbreak.
