To make it into the XI, players had to have played a minimum of 360 minutes at AFCON.

Goalkeeper

Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt) 7.1

Whilst Egypt's frontline took up much of the headlines throughout AFCON, El Shenawy had a quiet, but standout tournament.

The 37-year-old is a veteran of the competition; it was his fourth Africa Cup of Nations, and he was a rock between the posts. His best game came against South Africa, where he made six out of six saves, gaining an 8.6 Flashscore rating to earn himself player of the match.

El Shenawy commanded his box well and made pivotal saves as his team, limited in their tactics, to a fourth place finish. In what could be his final appearance on the big African stage, he can go out with his head held high.

Defence

Krepin Diatta (Senegal) 7.5

One of three players from the victorious Senegal team that lifted the trophy on Sunday, Krepin Diatta may not be the most glamorous name on the teamsheet, but his efforts were invaluable.

He played every minute for the Lions of Terranga during the tournament, up to an unfortunate injury picked up in the warm-up before the final, and he was effective throughout. Tasked with marking some of Africa's most threatening players, he rarely put a foot wrong.

He also helped going forward, picking up an assist against Benin in the group stage. At just 25, he may have heartbreakingly missed the final for his nation, but given the quality of the Senegal side, it won't be his last.

Yasser Ibrahim (Egypt) 7.5

Given their defensive, counter-attacking football, it's no surprise that Yasser Ibrahim has made our team of the tournament.

The Pharaohs looked to soak up pressure during their run to the semis, and it was Ibrahim who stood tall at the back. His best performance, which earned him a 9.5 player rating, came against Benin in the last 16, where he netted a looping header from a free-kick during extra time to earn his team passage into the quarter-finals.

But his main duties were in defence, and the imposing centre-back was on hand to provide plenty of blocks and clearances, as well as having the most successful tackles of anyone at AFCON with 26.

Rami Rabia (Egypt) 7.3

Rabia comes into the team of the tournament alongside his partner Ibrahim for much of the same reasons as his compatriot.

He scored against the Ivory Coast in a 3-2 victory with a towering header at the backpost, and much like Ibrahim, he was strong at the back too, typified by his passion after blocking a shot against the Elephants.

Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) 7.6

Despite the agonising loss in Sunday's final, Mazraoui will likely look back on his home tournament with fondness in years to come.

The left-back was an ever-present for the Atlas Lions, and was an engine on the flank, up and down all tournament as the hosts were roared on by their fanatical supporters.

It started well for the Manchester United player, assisting a goal in the opener against Comoros - that feels like a long time ago - before getting positive ratings on their way to the showpiece event four weeks later.

His best performance came against Nigeria in the semi-finals, where he made six clearances, completed 76% of passes in the attacking third and won 11 of his 14 duels across the 120 minutes of action. He was vital at both ends of the pitch for his side, something to be proud of.

Midfield

Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) 7.5

There was no one at AFCON who was as productive as Lookman. With seven goal contributions for the Super Eagles, Lookman was their fulcrum in attack, getting the most assists at the tournament, whilst chipping in with three goals to boot.

Nigeria, arguably, played the best football in Morocco, and Lookman was at the heart of that. Functioning as a number 10, he created more chances than any other player, and, despite his performance dropping off towards the business end, he has to have a spot in this XI.

Pape Gueye (Senegal) 7.5

In the history books, despite all of the drama that came at the end of Sunday's final, only one person could score the winner, and that was Gueye.

His industrious run forward, battling off Achraf Hakimi and blasting a shot into the top corner whilst off balance, typified his tournament as a whole.

Industrious throughout, he ran himself into the ground, whilst providing attacking threat - seen in the 3-1 win over Sudan, where he netted a brace. Pape Gueye added the second star to Senegal's crest; he will always shine brightly throughout his nation.

Forwards

Brahim Diaz (Morocco) 7.2

One moment in time can change a career; that moment came on Sunday for Brahim Diaz in the 114th minute as he stepped up to take the penalty that could have ended 50 years of hurt for his nation.

His decision to try a 'Panenka' at that point mystified the world, and ultimately, this miss is what his AFCON will be remembered for in the years to come.

But, before that, he was arguably the player of the tournament. He won the Golden Boot for most goals, scoring in five consecutive games before the semi-finals.

His threat on the right wing, alongside Hakimi, was Morocco's main threat throughout, and he lived up to the pressure with skill and aplomb.

Alas, the tears on the bench, the sagged shoulders following that disastrous moment, will haunt him and his country - what he does next will show just what he is made of.

Sadio Mane (Senegal) 7.6

The pressure on international footballers at major tournaments is like no other in the game. Under the microscope of your nation, willed on by millions, can be a burden for many. For Mane, he lived up to the big occasion once again to lead his team to victory. He may not have scored the winning goal in the final, but his actions that led to his team returning to the field on Sunday after they had exited in protest to the late penalty will be what he is remembered for.

Whilst others were losing their heads, he stayed cool and got the game back on, maybe even stopping his side from forfeiting the contest.

He was named AFCON's man of the tournament by the organisers, and he was crucial to his side, like he was in 2021. The former Southampton and Liverpool forward scored the winning goal against Egypt in the semis with an instinctive strike, but what stood out was his work rate.

He is Senegal's luxury player, and although two goals and three assists may not be the sort of return he was hoping for a month ago, his leadership was a big part of why they tasted glory for a second time.

Mohamed Salah (Egypt) 7.3

Another talisman of his nation, Salah fell just short once again in his quest to win a major trophy with Egypt. The Liverpool man, at times, struggled to impact games due to the defensive tactics of his coach, but that didn't stop him from netting four times to finish second in the Golden Boot race.

In his partnership with Omar Marmoush, they scared defenders, and between them, they took the Pharaohs to within touching distance of the final. Ultimately, Salah will head back to Merseyside disappointed his team couldn't lift that prized trophy; however, he showed once more why he is still a potent force across world football.

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) 7.3

Our final player needs very little introduction. Osimhen is the quintessential number nine and showed that once again during AFCON.

Scoring four goals in six games, he was as threatening as ever up front, with the most shots in the tournament, combining well with Lookman throughout.

The masked warrior's best showing came against Algeria, where he netted one and set up the other in the 2-0 victory.

His tournament, much like Lookman's, fell away towards the end, and fans of the Super Eagles will look at that as a reason why they were not able to go all the way.

Read more news aboyt the AFCON on Flashscore.

21 Jan2021	Club Brugge	Monaco	Transfer
03 Jan2018	Sarpsborg 08	Club Brugge	€2M
26 Feb2017	Oslo FA	Sarpsborg 08	€50K

Krépin Diatta

Transfer History