AFCON 2025: Osimhen, Lookman, and the 7 favourites for MVP award

As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draws closer, one big question on everyone’s mind is who will succeed ex-Super Eagles captain William Troost Ekong as the tournament’s MVP.

AFCON has often been defined by individuals capable of shaping matches through decisive moments, and attention naturally turns to players whose profiles show the unique blend needed to take African football by the horns.

These seven players combine technical quality, tournament know-how and other traits that align strongly with what AFCON demands, making them prime candidates for the best player award.

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah enters AFCON 2025 as one of the most tactically and technically refined attackers on the continent, with a game built around precision rather than volume.

Operating primarily from the right, Salah thrives on movement, piercing runs and an ability to attack space at exactly the right moment. His low centre of gravity allows him to glide through congested areas, an essential attribute in AFCON matches where defensive blocks often sit deep and compact.

Salah’s experience in previous editions has sharpened his understanding of tournament football, particularly the patience required when games become attritional.

After losing finals in 2017 and 2021, the two-time CAF African Footballer of the Year has one more chance to mark his name in the pantheon of AFCON greats, with time running out on his national team career.

Despite getting on with age, Salah has proven time and again that he can produce the goods, leading Liverpool to the 2024/25 Premier League title at the ripe old age of 32 with 29 goals and 18 assists, winning the Premier League Golden Boot, Playmaker award, and Player of the Season award.

His finishing from narrow angles and comfort in one-versus-one situations make him a constant threat even when Egypt are not dominating the ball. Over a gruelling month-long tournament, that efficiency and clarity of purpose place him firmly among the strongest MVP candidates.

Victor Osimhen is a different class from many elite forwards thanks to his relentless physical engagement combined with sharp penalty-box instincts.

His game is built on explosive speed, aerial dominance and an ability to stretch defensive lines vertically. At AFCON, where centre-backs are often robust and matches are intensely physical, Osimhen’s willingness to battle for every duel becomes a defining asset.

With more goals for Nigeria than anyone not named Rashidi Yekini, Osimhen is not only a candidate for the AFCON 2025 Golden Boot but also for the MVP award.

The Nigerian striker has been a standout star from Napoli to Galatasaray, smashing records left, right, and centre, and in Turkey, he has consistently scored vital goals, leading a second side to a league title in three years.

Across multiple matches, Osimhen’s combination of endurance, directness and scoring efficiency could see him bring his winning touch at club level to the Super Eagles with enough influence for MVP consideration.

Senegalese legend Sadio Mane remains one of the most adaptable attacking players available at AFCON 2025, capable of influencing matches from wide areas or central positions.

His pace over short distances, combined with close control, allows him to beat defenders in tight corridors rather than relying solely on open-field sprints. This adaptability is vital in AFCON fixtures, where pitch conditions and tactical approaches vary significantly.

After winning the MVP award in 2021 following Senegal’s AFCON triumph, Mane could become only the second player to win multiple AFCON MVP awards after Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan.

Mané’s experience across several editions has refined his decision-making in crucial moments, and his shooting technique, particularly when cutting inside onto his stronger foot, remains difficult for goalkeepers to read.

With a blend of tactical intelligence, physical resilience and composure under pressure, Mané fits the profile of a player capable of dominating an entire AFCON campaign, especially if Senegal make another deep run into the competition.

Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo arrives as a slightly different MVP contender, offering unpredictability rather than traditional star billing.

Comfortable on either flank or operating closer to the striker, he thrives on quick interchanges and sharp changes of direction. His acceleration over the first few metres often creates separation before defenders can reset, a valuable trait in tightly contested AFCON matches.

Mbeumo’s shooting variety stands out, with an ability to strike early or finish after carrying the ball across the box.

His growing reputation at club and international level, from his record-breaking Brentford days to his Old Trafford showings, has made Mbeumo Cameroon’s best hope at a first AFCON title since 2017.

Over a tournament format, Mbeumo’s blend of energy, intelligence and end-product could elevate him into serious MVP contention.

The 2024 African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman, brings a fluid, incisive style that suits knockout football particularly well. His comfort in receiving between lines and turning quickly allows him to destabilise defensive structures that rely on strict shape.

Lookman prefers direct engagement, attacking defenders with confidence and using quick feints to create shooting or passing lanes.

What strengthens Lookman’s MVP credentials is his composure in high-pressure situations, as seen by his hat-trick in the final of the 2024 Europa League that led Atalanta to their first-ever European title.

Lookman’s movement off the ball also enhances his threat, as he drifts intelligently into pockets that defenders often lose track of.

His blend of unique assets makes him one of Nigeria’s most important players and someone capable of leading the Super Eagles all the way, after falling short at the 2023 edition, losing in the final to hosts Ivory Coast.

After starring in Ivory Coast’s 2023 AFCON triumph, Franck Kessie is once again among the favourites to emerge as MVP as the Elephants attempt to defend their crown in Morocco.

Kessi exerts control of the midfield through physical authority and technical excellence built over a storied career in Europe with giants like AC Milan and Barcelona.

Operating from midfield, Kessie combines stamina with strong ball-carrying ability, enabling him to drive his team forward during transitional phases. His strength in duels allows him to win second balls consistently, a crucial element in AFCON’s often fragmented contests.

Kessié’s sense of timing when arriving in the box with late runs adds an extra dimension, making him a goal threat without compromising midfield balance.

Defensively, his positional awareness helps screen the back line, reducing exposure during counterattacks.

Such reliability across both phases of play can shape outcomes as decisively as goals. That all-action midfield influence makes Kessié a compelling MVP candidate, especially if the Ivory Coast manage to become the first country in 15 years to win back-to-back AFCON.

Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez remains one of the most technically gifted players to have ever come out of the African continent.

Mahrez’ game revolves around close control, well-timed acceleration and deceleration, as well as the ability to manipulate defenders and create chances from thin air.

From the right flank, he excels at isolating full-backs and creating shooting opportunities with minimal backlift, making him a dangerous forward, even at 34 years old.

Mahrez’ experience has refined his approach to tournament football, particularly in managing tempo. He often dictates when to slow the game down or inject urgency, using possession intelligently rather than extravagantly.

His accuracy from set-pieces and ability to deliver decisive final balls further increase his influence, making him capable of deciding tight games from situations of little threat.

In matches decided by subtle moments of quality, Mahrez’s skill set aligns perfectly with the profile of an AFCON MVP, and with Algeria gathering forces for another deep tournament run, the Al Ahli star could be the prime candidate for the award.