AFCON 2025: Iwobi selected, Osimhen and Salah miss out on Best XI of Round 1

The opening round of AFCON 2025 delivered goals, drama, and several unexpected individual performances across Morocco.

While heavyweights like Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah failed to make the cut, Nigeria's Alex Iwobi and Algeria's Riyad Mahrez headlined a list of elite performers selected by PulseSports Nigeria as the best XI from the first round of group stage fixtures.

From heroic goalkeeping displays to midfield dominance and ruthless finishing, Round 1 set a high individual standard heading into the rest of the group phase.

Despite Botswana suffering a 3–0 defeat to reigning champions Senegal, Goitseone Phoko produced one of the most extraordinary individual goalkeeping performances in AFCON history.

The goalkeeper faced an astonishing 17 shots on target, the highest recorded in a single AFCON match since 2010, yet still managed to keep the scoreline respectable. Phoko made 14 saves in total, nine of them from inside the penalty area, repeatedly denying Senegalese forwards who found space with alarming regularity.

Beyond his shot-stopping, Phoko’s composure in possession stood out. He completed 40 of his 44 passes, including an impressive 14 out of 18 long balls, often relieving pressure and preventing Botswana from being completely pinned back. While the result went firmly against his side, Phoko’s performance earned admiration across the continent and justified his inclusion in the Best XI.

Semi Ajayi delivered a commanding performance at the heart of Nigeria’s defence as the Super Eagles opened their campaign with a 2–1 victory over Tanzania. Named Man of the Match, Ajayi combined defensive solidity with decisive attacking contribution, setting the tone early by scoring Nigeria’s opening goal. His header came from a well-rehearsed corner routine, finishing off a precise delivery to give Nigeria early control of the contest.

Defensively, Ajayi was assured throughout. He recorded five defensive contributions, four recoveries, and maintained positional discipline even when Tanzania attempted to increase the tempo late on.

On the ball, he completed 58 passes at an impressive 91% accuracy, helping Nigeria build calmly from the back and sustain pressure in advanced areas.

Ajayi’s Round 1 showing reinforced his importance to Nigeria’s structure and showed why he remains a trusted option for the Super Eagles.

Edmund Tapsoba produced one of the most dramatic moments of Round 1, scoring the winning goal deep into stoppage time as Burkina Faso stunned Equatorial Guinea.

Trailing late in the match, Burkina Faso mounted a desperate push, and it was their captain who rose highest in the 98th minute to power home a trademark header. The goal completed a remarkable turnaround, with Burkina Faso scoring twice in additional time to secure victory.

Beyond the decisive strike, Tapsoba’s influence stretched across the entire match. He organised Burkina Faso’s defensive line, remained aggressive in aerial duels, and pushed forward whenever set-piece opportunities arose.

His willingness to take responsibility in the dying moments proved decisive, turning what looked like a frustrating loss into a statement win.

Noussair Mazraoui was central to Morocco’s controlled 2–0 victory over Comoros, offering both defensive reliability and attacking creativity from right-back.

Operating primarily on the right side of defence, the Manchester United full-back consistently provided an outlet in wide areas, stretching Comoros and creating overloads that disrupted their compact shape.

Mazraoui’s defining moment came with a perfectly weighted cutback that set up Brahim Díaz for Morocco’s opening goal. The assist was the result of sustained pressure and intelligent movement rather than individual flair alone.

Throughout the match, Mazraoui balanced his forward runs with disciplined recovery work, ensuring Morocco remained secure at the back.

Yan Diomande emerged as Ivory Coast’s most dynamic attacking presence in their narrow 1–0 win over Mozambique.

Constantly receiving the ball between the lines, he troubled defenders with sharp changes of direction and close control. Diomande completed five successful dribbles, repeatedly forcing Mozambique’s back line into last-ditch interventions.

He came close to capping his display with a goal, only to be denied by an excellent save from the Mozambique goalkeeper.

Even without scoring, Diomande’s influence was clear, as Ivory Coast’s most dangerous moments flowed through him. His ability to carry the ball under pressure and break defensive structures marked him out as one of the standout players of the opening round.

Ellyes Skhiri anchored Tunisia’s midfield with authority in their 3–1 victory over Uganda. He opened the scoring with a composed side-footed finish, setting Tunisia on their way and rewarding a strong early spell of pressure.

From the base of midfield, Skhiri controlled the tempo, breaking up Ugandan attacks and ensuring quick transitions from defence to attack.

His positional awareness allowed Tunisia to dominate central areas, limiting Uganda’s ability to counter effectively.

Skhiri’s blend of defensive awareness and timely forward involvement proved decisive, offering balance that allowed Tunisia’s more attacking players to thrive.

Alex Iwobi was the standout creative force as Nigeria edged Tanzania 2–1, delivering a performance that placed him firmly in the Best XI.

Operating in midfield, Iwobi assisted both of Nigeria’s goals, becoming the first Nigerian player in 12 years to record two assists in a single AFCON match since John Obi Mikel. His vision and timing consistently opened up Tanzania’s defensive shape.

Iwobi created six chances in total and remained composed in possession, linking midfield to attack with minimal wasted touches.

His influence extended beyond the final pass, as he dictated rhythm and ensured Nigeria retained control during tense phases of the match.

Elias Achouri delivered a ruthless attacking display, scoring twice in Tunisia’s 3–1 win over Uganda. His movement across the frontline caused constant problems, and his finishing proved clinical when opportunities arose.

With two goals, Achouri sits as the joint top scorer in the tournament after the opening round.

Both goals showcased his sharp instincts inside the box, arriving at the right moments to convert Tunisia’s dominance into a tangible advantage.

Achouri’s ability to combine intelligent positioning with composure in front of goal made him a constant threat and an obvious inclusion among the tournament’s best performers so far.

Lyle Foster played a decisive role in South Africa’s 2–1 victory over Angola, contributing both a goal and an assist.

His physical presence unsettled Angola’s defence, while his movement created space for teammates to exploit. Foster’s standout moment came with a sensational strike from the edge of the penalty area to secure the winning goal.

Beyond the headline contribution, Foster worked tirelessly across the frontline, linking play and pressing defenders into errors.

His performance against Angola reinforced him as one of South Africa’s most important attacking outlets and suggested he could play a significant role as the tournament progresses.

Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson led Senegal’s attack with maturity and efficiency in their 3–0 win over Botswana.

He scored twice and could easily have completed a hat-trick, only for Goitseone Phoko’s outstanding goalkeeping to deny him further goals. Jackson’s movement and finishing stretched Botswana’s defence throughout the match.

Often dropping deep to link play before attacking space in the box, Jackson controlled the tempo of Senegal’s forward play.

His display placed him firmly among the early contenders for the Golden Boot, quietly laying the foundation for a prolific tournament.

Riyad Mahrez rolled back the years with a polished display in Algeria’s 3–0 victory over Sudan. The 34-year-old scored twice and was involved in most of Algeria’s dangerous attacking sequences, repeatedly drawing defenders out of position.

His close control and timing of his dangerous runs allowed Algeria to dominate wide areas against the minnows.

Mahrez’s influence ensured Algeria started their AFCON 2025 campaign with authority. Against Sudan, he demonstrated that experience and technical quality remain decisive at the AFCON.