The group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco concluded in emphatic fashion as Matchday 3 delivered drama, goals, and decisive moments between December 29 and 31.
Across 12 fixtures, fans witnessed 34 goals, multiple clean sheets, and results that finally shaped the knockout bracket. Tournament heavyweights Nigeria, Algeria, and Senegal all finished unbeaten, while dramatic qualification stories emerged elsewhere South Africa edged Zimbabwe 3–2 to seal progression, and Mozambique bowed out gallantly despite pushing Cameroon to the limit.
The final round featured standout individual performances, including braces from Ayoub El Kaabi, Raphael Onyedika, and Gaël Kakuta, a five-goal thriller in Group B, and tense goalless draws that kept underdogs alive until the final whistle.
Using official CAF Man of the Match awards, WhoScored and Flashscore ratings, and decisive contributions across the pitch, Sport Flames presents its Best XI from Matchday 3, lined up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Goalkeeper
Yannick Pandor (Comoros) – Rating: 7.5
Pandor was instrumental in Comoros’ gritty 0-0 draw against Mali, making several key saves to secure a vital point and keep his team’s slim hopes alive. His distribution and command of the box earned him the highest rating among goalkeepers on the day.
Defenders
Abdoulaye Seck (Senegal) – Rating: 7.9
Seck was a commanding presence at right-back in Senegal’s 3-0 victory over Benin, contributing to a clean sheet with strong tackling and forward support. His performance helped the Teranga Lions finish atop Group D unbeaten.
Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso) – Rating: 7.8
Tapsoba organized Burkina Faso’s defense in their 2-0 victory over Sudan, contributing to a clean sheet with his aerial prowess and timely tackles. The Bayer Leverkusen defender’s composure was key in securing second place in Group E.
Zinedine Belaïd (Algeria) – Rating: 7.6
Belaïd combined leadership with end product, scoring the opener and marshaling Algeria’s backline in a 3–1 win over Equatorial Guinea to complete a perfect group stage.
Arsène Kouassi (Burkina Faso) — Rating: 8.3 (Official CAF MOTM)
Kouassi impressed with his defensive solidity and energetic forward runs, playing a key role in Burkina Faso’s clean sheet against Sudan and their qualification push.
Midfielders
Raphael Onyedika (Nigeria)- Rating 8.8 (Official CAF MOTM)
The standout midfielder of Matchday 3, Onyedika scored twice in Nigeria’s 3–1 win over Uganda, controlling the tempo with power, intelligence, and composure to cap a flawless group stage for the Super Eagles.
Anis Hadj Moussa (Algeria) — Rating: 8.2 (Official CAF MOTM)
Operating with precision and vision, Hadj Moussa delivered two assists with pinpoint crosses in Algeria’s win over Equatorial Guinea, dictating play from midfield.
Ibrahim Maza (Algeria) — Rating: 8.3
Maza dazzled with creativity and confidence, scoring and assisting as Algeria sealed top spot in Group E with a perfect record.
Forwards
Oswin Appollis (South Africa) – Rating: 8.2 (Official CAF MOTM)
Appollis showed nerves of steel, converting a late penalty to complete South Africa’s dramatic 3–2 comeback against Zimbabwe and secure qualification.
Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco) – Rating: 8.4 (Official CAF MOTM)
El Kaabi’s brace in Morocco’s 3–0 win over Zambia underlined his lethal movement and finishing, keeping him joint top scorer and a major threat heading into the knockouts.
Gaël Kakuta (DR Congo) – Rating: 8.4 (Official CAF MOTM)
Kakuta inspired DR Congo’s 3–0 victory over Botswana with a brace, including a penalty, combining flair, leadership, and composure in a commanding display.
Honorable Mentions
Several players narrowly missed out on the Best XI after impressive Matchday 3 performances:
Brahim Díaz (Morocco) — Rating: 7.7; scored in the 3–0 win over Zambia
Lyle Foster (South Africa) — Rating: 7.6; goal in the 3–2 thriller vs Zimbabwe
Paul Onuachu (Nigeria) — Rating: 7.8; powerful opener vs Uganda
Habib Diallo (Senegal) — Rating: 7.5; goal in the 3–0 win over Benin
Cherif Ndiaye (Senegal) — Rating: 7.4; late strike to seal group supremacy
Georges-Kevin Guessand (Ivory Coast) — Rating: 7.6; equaliser vs Gabon
Denis Bouanga (Gabon) — Rating: 7.3; scored despite defeat
Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea) — Rating: 7.2; goal vs Algeria
Alex Iwobi (Nigeria) — Rating: 7.9; assists and midfield control vs Uganda
Joris Kayembe (DR Congo) — Rating: 7.6; energetic display with overlapping runs
Final Word
With the group stage complete, AFCON 2025 now shifts into knockout mode, where margins shrink and moments define legacies.
The Round of 16 begins January 3, and if the group phase is any indication, the drama is only just beginning.
