• FOOTBALL

• Sportsbeat Correspondent 2 months ago

Mane makes AFCON bow in style with MVP award and second Nations Cup trophy

Sadio Mane ended his Africa Cup of Nations journey in the best way possible by lifting the trophy and walking away with the tournament’s top individual award.

The Senegal star was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) at AFCON 2025 after playing a key role in his country’s title-winning campaign in Morocco.

The 33-year-old forward was the heartbeat of the Teranga Lions throughout the tournament. In what was confirmed as his final AFCON appearance, Mane showed class, leadership, and big-game mentality to guide Senegal to their second continental title in five years.

There is talk though that Mane might still play next year in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in the 2027 AFCON.

Mane finished the competition with two goals and four assists in six matches, numbers that only tell part of the story.

Beyond the statistics, his influence was felt in every game, from his work rate and movement to his ability to inspire teammates in difficult moments.

The defining moment of his tournament came in the final against hosts Morocco. With the match locked at 0–0 after 90 minutes, Mane delivered when it mattered most. In extra time, he provided a perfectly weighted assist for Pape Gueye, whose goal sealed a dramatic 1–0 victory and crowned Senegal champions of Africa once again.

The final whistle sparked emotional scenes as Mane celebrated with teammates, knowing he had achieved his goal of ending his AFCON career on a winning note. Earlier in the tournament, the former Liverpool forward had announced that this would be his last appearance at Africa’s biggest football stage.

While Senegal celebrated team success, Morocco dominated many of the individual awards despite falling short in the final.

Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz was named Golden Boot winner after finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.

Diaz found the net in five different matches, scoring against Comoros, Mali, Tanzania, Cameroon, and a brace against Zambia. His consistency put him in elite company, becoming one of the few players to score in consecutive games in a single AFCON edition.

Diaz also completed a rare achievement by finishing as the top scorer in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, underlining his impressive season on the international stage. However, the Moroccan star will be left with regrets after missing a stoppage-time penalty against Senegal in the final—an opportunity that could have changed history and ended Morocco’s 50-year wait for an AFCON title.

At the back, Morocco’s defensive strength was led by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who was named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament and won the Golden Glove award. Bounou kept five clean sheets in seven matches tying with Senegal’s Edouard Mendy for the highest number in the competition.

The CAF Goalkeeper of the Year conceded just two goals on Morocco’s run to the final and produced several crucial saves, especially during the knockout stages. His commanding performance in the semi-final was key in sending the hosts to the final.

Morocco also walked away with the Fair Play Award, capping a strong overall showing at AFCON 2025 despite the heartbreak of losing the final at home.

As the curtain falls on a memorable tournament in Morocco, attention now turns to the future. The next Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted in East Africa in 2027, with Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania set to co-host the prestigious event.

For now, though, the spotlight belongs to Sadio Manea true African football icon who leaves the AFCON stage as a champion, a leader, and an MVP.