By Oni Ladonette Ondesa
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
Yassine Bounou is the Best Goalkeeper of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a fitting acknowledgment for a tournament where the Moroccan shot-stopper operated at the peak of his powers.
Despite the Atlas Lions falling to a narrow 1-0 extra-time defeat against Senegal in Sunday’s final, Bounou’s individual campaign was defined by a statistical dominance and a series of clutch interventions that underpinned Morocco’s run to their first final in 22 years.
Throughout the tournament, the Al-Hilal man remained a near-impenetrable barrier, reinforcing his status as the pre-eminent goalkeeper on the continent.
The foundations of Bounou’s Golden Glove success were built on a remarkable defensive solidity. Morocco conceded just one goal in tje build up to the finals, a penalty in the 1-1 group stage draw against Mali.
Outside of that isolated breach, Bounou recorded five clean sheets in six matches, including shutouts against Comoros, Zambia, Tanzania and a high-stakes quarter-final victory over Cameroon.
By the time the final kicked off in Rabat, he had overseen a sequence of 477 minutes without conceding, a testament to both his organizational command and his ability to maintain concentration during long spells of Moroccan territorial dominance.
His defining moment arrived in the semi-final against Nigeria, a contest that demanded elite-level composure as it drifted into a penalty shootout following a goalless 120 minutes. Bounou’s performance was nothing short of a masterclass in psychological warfare and technical execution.
He produced two crucial saves from the spot, most notably a stunning, instinctive reaction to deny Bruno Onyemaechi. Having initially moved early, Bounou showed incredible core strength and reflexes to check back and repel a powerful strike with a strong right hand a save widely described as one of the finest in the history of the competition.
That Man of the Match display was the catalyst for Morocco’s progression and served as a reminder of his specialized brilliance in high-pressure knockout scenarios.
In the final against Senegal, Bounou once again kept his side in contention with a string of exceptional saves as the Teranga Lions pressed for a breakthrough. He notably denied Iliman Ndiaye in a one-on-one situation during the first half and produced a sharp low save to his right to frustrate Cherif Ndiaye in extra time.
Even as fatigue set in, he remained resolute against a barrage of long-range efforts from Pape Gueye. While Gueye eventually found a way through in the 94th minute to seal the title for Senegal, Bounou’s resistance until that point was the only reason the hosts remained competitive in a final marred by tactical tension and heavy rainfall.
This tournament display is a direct continuation of the elite standard Bounou set during Morocco’s historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. Much like his heroics in Qatar, his AFCON 2025 campaign was characterized by a refusal to be beaten from open play and an aura of invincibility during spot-kicks.
By securing the Best Goalkeeper award, Bounou has not only validated his recent ranking as CAF’s top goalkeeper but has also solidified his legacy as a player who consistently delivers his best performances on the grandest stages of international football.
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