Mane wins AFCON player of the tournament award

Senegal forward Sadio Mané was named Man of the Tournament at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after inspiring the Teranga Lions to their second continental title with a 1-0 win over hosts Morocco in the final

The Teranga Lions needed extra time to edge the hosts after a drama-filled 90 minutes ended goalless. Senegal took the lead in the 94th minute when Pape Gueye struck a powerful long-range effort into the top corner.

Mané finished the tournament with two goals and four assists, including the assist for Gueye’s decisive strike in the final. Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman, who was the most influential player for the third-placed Super Eagles at the tournament, scoring three goals and providing four assists in six matches, missed out on the individual honour.

Only four Nigerians have previously won the Man of the Tournament award: the late Christian Chukwu in 1980, Rashidi Yekini in 1994, Austin Okocha in 2004 and William Troost-Ekong in 2023.

Lookman earned two Man of the Match awards for his performances in Morocco, further enhancing his reputation at the competition. Across two AFCON tournaments, he now has six goals and five assists.

Deployed in a more centrally advanced role alongside African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and AFCON debutant Akor Adams, Lookman’s attacking flair was central to Nigeria’s potency in attack, supported by the fluid movement of Alex Iwobi, who operated freely in midfield.

Hosts Morocco clinched the Fair Play award, while the Best Goalkeeper award went to Yassine Bounou. Ibrahim Díaz finished as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals to claim the AFCON Golden Boot.