The official AFCON 2025 individual awards were confirmed on Sunday, 18 January 2026, following Senegal’s dramatic 1–0 extra-time victory over host nation Morocco in a final that will be remembered for its chaos and controversy.
While Senegal lifted the continental trophy for the second time in their history, Morocco emerged as the biggest winners on the individual awards list, claiming three major honors despite the heartbreak of losing the final on home soil.
Softfootball has gathered the full list of the AFCON 2025 individual award winners:
🤝 Fair Play Award: 🇲🇦 Morocco
🧤 Best Goalkeeper: 🇲🇦 Yassine Bounou
⚽️ Top Goal Scorer: 🇲🇦 Brahim Díaz
🌟 Best Player of the Tournament: 🇸🇳 Sadio Mané
Morocco’s recognition was notable, especially given the tense scenes that unfolded during additional time between the 90+4 and 115 minutes, when Senegal strongly protested a penalty awarded to the hosts. The incident briefly threatened to derail the final before play resumed.
Despite missing the controversial penalty in the dying moments of extra time, Brahim Díaz finished the tournament as the top goal scorer, though he appeared visibly disappointed during the award presentation.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was rewarded for his consistent performances throughout the competition, while Morocco’s overall conduct earned them the Fair Play Award.
On the Senegal side, captain Sadio Mané capped a leadership-driven tournament by winning Best Player, a fitting honor after his crucial role both on and off the pitch, particularly in calming tensions during the final.
The awards ceremony brought closure to an AFCON 2025 tournament filled with drama, historic moments, and unforgettable controversy.
