The announcement of the Team of the Tournament for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 will send ripples of concern through South African football circles.
In a revelation many fans had feared, Bafana Bafana players have been conspicuously absent from this prestigious event line-up, despite a series of commendable performances up to the last 16 round.
This absence underscores a growing issue, which national coach Hugo Broos frequently highlights. For South African players to flourish on the continental stage, they must gain crucial exposure in Europe’s elite competitions.
Broos has been a vocal advocate for a systematic export of local talent, emphasising that Bafana Bafana’s success is intrinsically linked to the level of competition its players encounter abroad.
The lack of South African representation in the Team of the Tournament reflects not a shortfall of potential, but rather a disparity in exposure and experience when compared with nations that regularly feature in such elite competitions.
This glaring omission of South African players serves as both a harsh reminder of the current quandary facing Bafana Bafana and a potential roadmap for future restoration.
As South Africa seeks to reclaim its standing among Africa’s footballing elite, the path to progress is clear: harness the crucial international experience and elevate local talent into European competitions, where they can mature and excel on the global stage.
As Bafana Bafana grapples with its identity and future direction, the absence from the AFCON XI raises urgent questions about player development and national pride ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
The Team of the Tournament was curated by the CAF Technical Study Group (TSG), employing a comprehensive analysis of data, live video feeds, on-site evaluations, and performance metrics gathered throughout the tournament.
The selection showcases the strength of nations like Senegal and Morocco, each with four representatives, emphasising their dominant contributions throughout the tournament.
Morocco stood out for their remarkable defensive acumen, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou conceding a mere two goals across seven matches.
Their offensive prowess was equally compelling, led by tournament top scorer Brahim Díaz and featuring talents like Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui.
Senegal, the champions of the tournament, also placed prominently in the Best XI, with standout performances from Sadio Mané—who was named Player of the Tournament—and other key players such as Moussa Niakhaté and Idrissa Gueye.
Nigeria added to the mix with three selections, including the prolific striker Victor Osimhen.
AFCON Team of the tournament
Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal), Calvin Bassey (Nigeria), Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)
Midfielders: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria), Pape Gueye (Senegal), Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)
Forwards: Brahim Díaz (Morocco), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), Sadio Mané (Senegal)
