The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the Group Stage Best XI at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with the selection dominated by North and West African players.
North Africa and West Africa each contributed five players to the team following impressive group-stage performances.
From North Africa, the selected players are Riyad Mahrez (Algeria), Noussair Mazraoui and Brahim Díaz (both Morocco), Ali Abdi (Tunisia), and Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt), who was named as the goalkeeper.
West Africa is represented by Sadio Mané (Senegal), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria), Carlos Baleba (Cameroon), and Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso).
Axel Tuanzebe of DR Congo is the only player from Central Africa to make the Best XI.
Notably, several high-profile stars were left out of the team, including Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), and Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon).
The selection also highlights the absence of any player from Southern Africa, with no representatives from Comoros, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, or Zimbabwe making the Group Stage Best XI.
The team is coached by Erick Chelle, who guided Nigeria through an impressive group-stage campaign.
📝 BEST XI – FORMATION (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper:
🧤 Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt)
Defenders:
🔹 Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)
🔹 Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo)
🔹 Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso)
🔹 Ali Abdi (Tunisia)
Midfielders:
🔸 Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)
🔸 Brahim Díaz (Morocco)
🔸 Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)
Forwards:
⚡ Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
⚡ Sadio Mané (Senegal)
⚡ Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
Coach: Erick Chelle (Nigeria)
