AFCON Review: Five Standout Players
After a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, we look back at the stars of Ligue 1 McDonald's who impressed throughout the tournament.
Krépin Diatta, AS Monaco/Senegal
Despite having missed the final due to illness, there's no doubting that Diatta was as important as any player in the Lions of Teranga winning the title. Despite not always starting for his club, the versatile winger/fullback played every match save the final for his country, and his leather-lunged runs behind the attack were crucial to the front three's freedom. Too, his level of play only improved as the tournament progressed, as he was particularly impressive in 1-0 wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals, making his place on this list more than deserved.
🧹 5 clearences
🔥 5 duels won
👊 4 recoveries
💫 85% accurate passes
🔑 1 key pass
What a match by Krepin Diatta! 🇸🇳🤩 pic.twitter.com/202Anrj9Rg— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 14, 2026
Lassine Sinayoko, AJ Auxerre/Mali
Despite being knocked out in the quarterfinals by Senegal, the 26 year old has shown why he's being tipped to take big step up. A pure product of Auxerre's academy, he's built on a strong season last year in Ligue 1 (five goals, eight assists) by netting six times in the current campaign. In scoring three goals at AFCON -- including a clutch stoppage time penalty against Tunisia -- he helped his country impress despite their attacking limitations.
Mamadou Sarr, RC Strasbourg/Senegal
Still just 20 years old, it looked like Sarr's 14-minute cameo against Benin was to be his only appearance of the tournament, such was the strength of the partnership between Lyon's Moussa Niakhaté and Kalidou Koulibaly. However, when the former Napoli man was forced off after just fifteen minutes in the semifinal, Sarr stepped into the void to turn in a near-flawless set of performances, helping his side win the competition by keeping a vital pair of clean sheets.
For the second time in history, Senegal win the AFCON 🏆 pic.twitter.com/OvNNjgOzPv
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 18, 2026
Achraf Hakimi, Paris Saint-Germain/Morocco
Injured when the tournament started, Hakimi didn't even make his first start until the hosts' Round of 16 win over Tanzania. Once fit, though, he turned in a set of performances for the ages, rarely putting a foot wrong as he took the hosts to the brink of glory. Despite coming up just short, Hakimi and his teammates offered a firm reminder they'll be a team to watch this summer at the World Cup.
Nayef Aguerd, Olympique de Marseille/Morocco
Rivals in Ligue 1 McDonald's and teammates for their country, Aguerd joins Hakimi as having played a truly world-class tournament despite the bitter disappointment of having come up just short yesterday. He played every minute of the Atlas Lions' seven matches, turning in a series of composed displays as the hosts conceded just once prior to the final.
