By Joshua Kosimbom
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
AFCON 2025 has reached a rare and defining summit, where individual brilliance and collective ambition converge on one historic stage. As the tournament enters its semi-final phase in Morocco, African football is witnessing an exceptional moment: the final four teams collectively feature every CAF African Player of the Year winner since 2017, underlining the extraordinary technical value and star power of this edition.
Leading this constellation of excellence is Achraf Hakimi, crowned African Player of the Year in 2025. The Moroccan captain symbolizes the host nation’s growing authority on the continental stage, adding further weight to Morocco’s semi-final presence. Having returned from injury and only featuring from the third day of play, Hakimi’s influence has remained profound, blending leadership, intensity and tactical intelligence.
Nigeria arrive with a formidable double crown in attack. Victor Osimhen, Africa’s best in 2023, has been devastatingly effective, scoring four goals and providing two assists across five matches. Alongside him, 2024 winner Ademola Lookman has combined flair with efficiency, registering three goals and four assists, making Nigeria one of the tournament’s most balanced and dangerous sides.
Senegal’s challenge is carried by Sadio Mané, a two-time African Player of the Year in 2019 and 2022. While his numbers one goal and three assists in five games do not fully capture his influence, Mané’s experience, movement and leadership continue to shape Senegal’s tactical identity and composure in high-stakes moments.
Egypt’s enduring icon Mohamed Salah completes this elite gathering. Winner of the African Golden Ball in 2017 and 2018, Salah has once again delivered on the continental stage, scoring four goals and adding one assist in four matches, reinforcing his reputation as one of Africa’s most consistent and decisive performers over the past decade.
Collectively, these five stars have claimed seven African Player of the Year awards, a convergence that gives the AFCON 2025 semi-finals exceptional symbolic and competitive weight. Beyond individual honours, the tournament itself reflects this elevated quality. With 119 goals already scored matching the record set at the previous edition,the competition has showcased attacking ambition, tactical maturity and technical confidence across the continent.
Fittingly, the four semi-finalists Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria and Egypt are all former AFCON champions. Each nation carries a rich footballing heritage and a proven history of excellence, making their meeting at this stage both a tribute to the past and a statement about the future of African football.
As African Ballon d’Or royalty chase collective glory, AFCON 2025 stands as more than a tournament. It is a celebration of crowns earned, legacies defended and a continental game reaching one of its most luminous peaks.
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