The Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco delivered exactly what knockout football promises: drama, tension, and decisive moments. Played between January 3 and 6, 2026, the eight matches produced 22 goals, three extra-time thrillers, and a nerve-shredding penalty shootout as Africa’s elite battled for quarter-final places.
While tournament favorites ultimately progressed, none did so without resistance. Defending champions Senegal survived an early scare against Sudan, hosts Morocco edged past a stubborn Tanzania side, and Nigeria produced the most emphatic performance of the round with a ruthless demolition of Mozambique. Elsewhere, Algeria needed a 119th-minute winner to overcome DR Congo, Mali relied on penalty heroics to advance with ten men, and Cameroon showed grit and efficiency in their hard-fought win over South Africa.
Based on official CAF Man of the Match awards, performance ratings from WhoScored and Sofascore, and decisive contributions across all phases of play, here is our AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Best XI, set up in a 4-1-2-3 formation.
Goalkeeper
Djigui Diarra (Mali) – Rating: 8.0
Diarra was the definition of composure under pressure. After a 1–1 draw against Tunisia that extended into extra time, the Malian goalkeeper saved two penalties in the shootout to send his side through despite playing with ten men. His calm presence and shot-stopping earned him one of the standout performances of the round.
Defence
Bright Osayi-Samuel (Nigeria) – Rating: 7.5
Osayi-Samuel produced his most complete AFCON display in Nigeria’s 4–0 thrashing of Mozambique. Disciplined defensively and sharp in possession, the Fenerbahçe full-back complemented Nigeria’s attacking dominance with maturity and energy.
Aïssa Mandi (Algeria) – Rating: 7.8
Experience proved decisive as Mandi anchored Algeria’s defence in their extra-time victory over DR Congo. His leadership and positioning ensured a clean sheet in a physically demanding encounter.
Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) – Rating: 8.0
Bassey’s solid defensive display anchored Nigeria’s clean sheet in their 4-0 win over Mozambique, winning key duels and contributing to the build-up. The Fulham defender’s composure helped the Super Eagles dominate.
Rayan Aït-Nouri (Algeria) – Rating: 7.7
Aït-Nouri balanced attacking thrust with defensive responsibility, overlapping intelligently and winning key duels as Algeria edged past DR Congo in extra time.
Midfield
Pape Gueye (Senegal) – Rating: 8.4
Gueye’s first-half brace flipped Senegal’s tie against Sudan after an early setback. He dominated midfield zones while providing goals from deep.
Alex Iwobi (Nigeria) – Rating: 8.3
Iwobi pulled the strings in Nigeria’s midfield, dictating tempo and creating opportunities at will. His vision and technical quality were central to the Super Eagles’ attacking fluency.
Brahim Díaz (Morocco) – Rating: 8.2
The Real Madrid playmaker delivered when it mattered, scoring the decisive goal in Morocco’s narrow 1–0 win over Tanzania. His creativity consistently unsettled a deep defensive block.
Attack
Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) – Rating: 8.5
Diallo dazzled in Ivory Coast’s commanding 3–0 victory over Burkina Faso, contributing a goal and an assist. His pace, directness, and end product earned him Man of the Match honors.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – Rating: 8.5
Osimhen was relentless, scoring and physically overwhelming Mozambique’s defence. His movement, aerial dominance, and clinical finishing epitomized Nigeria’s attacking superiority.
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) – Rating: 9.5
The highest-rated player of the round. The performance of the round. Lookman was unstoppable, delivering goals, assists, and relentless dribbling in Nigeria’s 4–0 rout. His 9.5 rating and MOTM award reflected a truly elite display.
Honorable Mentions
Several players narrowly missed out on the XI but made decisive contributions:
- Yves Bissouma (Mali): Rating: 7.9 – Named MOTM in Mali’s penalty win over Tunisia, with box-to-box efforts.
- Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal): Rating: 8.0 – Scored the sealer against Sudan as a teen substitute.
- Adil Boulbina (Algeria): Rating: 8.1 – Dramatic extra-time winner against DR Congo.
- Junior Tchamadeu (Cameroon): Rating: 7.8 – Opened the scoring against South Africa.
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt): Rating: 8.2 – Assumed brace in the 3-1 extra-time win over Benin.
- Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast): Rating: 7.7 – Goal in the 3-0 rout.
- Evidence Makgopa (South Africa): Rating: 7.6 – Late consolation against Cameroon.
- Gaël Kakuta (DR Congo): Rating: 7.5 – Strong despite defeat to Algeria.
- Anis Hadj Moussa (Algeria): Rating: 7.6 – Involved in build-up play.
- Riyad Mahrez (Algeria): Rating: 7.9 – Pulled the strings in the extra-time win over DR Congo.
- Akor Adams (Nigeria): Rating: 8.5 – Scored a clinical goal in the 4-0 victory over Mozambique, showcasing his finishing prowess.
- Christian Kofane (Cameroon): Rating: 8.0 – Excellent header sealed the 2-1 win over South Africa, adding attacking threat.
Looking Ahead
With quarter-final clashes such as Nigeria vs Algeria and Morocco vs Cameroon on the horizon, AFCON 2025 is entering its most unforgiving phase. The margins are tightening, pressure is rising, and individual brilliance may once again define outcomes.
Will the favorites assert dominance, or will new heroes emerge under the Moroccan lights?
AFCON 2025 continues to deliver.
