Bafana Bafana players have been excluded from the 2025 AFCON Group Stage Best XI in what could be a brutal indictment of how Hugo Broos’ men have fared so far in Morocco.
The 1996 African champions opened their Group B campaign with a narrow 2-1 win over Angola before falling 1-0 to Egypt. They then concluded their group stage business by stuttering to a 3-2 win over Zimbabwe in a match their neighbours posed a serious threat to eliminate them from the tournament.
They now clash with Cameroon in the Round of 16 at Al Medina Stadium on Sunday. The winner of this contest secures passage to the quarter-finals where Morocco would be possible opponents.
However, Bafana go into the Last-16 knowing none of their players were included in the Group stage Best XI. Even Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis who scored two goals each have been snubbed.
After conceding four goals in three games, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has been overlooked, together with his Mamelodi Sundowns teammate Teboho Mokoena who made it in the Best XI of the tournament at the previous AFCON edition in Ivory Coast.
However, Bafana players still have an opportunity to redeem themselves and get into the tournament Best XI, like the last time around, where none of them had been named in the group phase list. Sunday’s do-or-die confrontation with the Indomitable Lions is a test of character for Broos’ side to see if they can rise when it matters the most.
SALAH, OSIMHEN AND OTHER BIG NAMES BITE THE DUST
Apart from Bafana players, some of Africa’s trademark names did not make the cut in the best team of the group stage. Egypt captain Mohamed Salah, who has two goals in Morocco, has been snubbed together with Cameroon’s Manchester United star Bryan Mbeumo.
Morocco striker Ayoub El Kaabi, for his three goals, including two overhead kicks that are both Goal of the Tournament contenders, was shockingly overlooked. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen could not make the grade with his goal and an assist.
WHO HAS MADE THE 2025 AFCON GROUP STAGE BEST XI?
Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy has been placed between the sticks after shipping in just a goal in three appearances.
Manchester United right-back Noussair Mazraoui has impressively held fort for Achraf Hakimi, who arrived at the tournament not fully fit. DR Congo centre-back Axel Tuanzebe, Edmond Tapsoba of Burkina Faso and Tunisia’s Yahia Attiat-Allah El Abdi complete the line-up of defenders in this selection.
Real Madrid and Morocco attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz, a strong contender for the Player of the Tournament, has made the cut. He is joined by Nigeria’s second striker, Ademola Lookman, and Cameroon’s Carlos Babela.
Familiar faces in Algeria striker Riyad Mahrez, Ivory Coast’s two-goal man Amad Diallo and Senegal dangerman, Sadio Mane, who has a goal and an assist, have been included upfront.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is the Coach of the Group stage after Nigeria’s flawless record of three wins. He beats Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic, who also boasts of a similar record.
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