Sadio Mane cements AFCON hero status with MVP award in his final appearance
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 19.01.26. | 09:17
Mane recorded two goals and four assists in six appearances, underlining his all-around influence throughout the competition
Al Nassr attacker Sadio Mane stole the spotlight at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after leading Senegal to continental glory.
The Senegal forward was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament following an impressive campaign for the Teranga Lions.
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Mane recorded two goals and four assists in six appearances, underlining his all-around influence throughout the competition.
The 33-year-old was decisive in the final, providing the assist for Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner as Senegal edged hosts Morocco 1–0 to clinch the AFCON title, their second in five years.
The triumph also marked Mane’s final AFCON appearance, having earlier announced his intention to bow out on a winning note.
Despite falling short in the final, Morocco dominated the individual awards.
Brahim Diaz was crowned 'Golden Boot' winner after finishing the tournament as the top scorer with five goals.
The Real Madrid forward scored in five different matches, finding the net against Comoros, Mali, Zambia (brace), Tanzania, and Cameroon, joining an elite group of players to score in multiple consecutive games in a single AFCON edition.
Diaz also finished as top scorer in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, completing a rare double.
However, Diaz will be haunted by his stoppage-time penalty miss against Senegal, which denied the North Africans a first AFCON title in 50 years.
Morocco’s defensive strength was anchored by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who was named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament and awarded the 'Golden Glove'.
The reigning CAF Goalkeeper of the Year kept five clean sheets in seven matches, the joint-highest in the tournament alongside Senegal’s Edouard Mendy.
Bounou conceded just two goals on Morocco’s run to the final and produced a series of crucial saves, particularly during the knockout stages and in a commanding semi-final performance that sent the hosts into the final.
Morocco also walked away with the Fair Play Award, capping a strong overall showing at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.
Up next is the Africa Cup of Nations in East Africa, set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in 2027.
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