CAN 2025: the ideal starting eleven, a tough group stage and a highly tense semi-final
- Where to watch CAN 2025 live
- The most demanding path: Algeria
- Possible semi-final: Morocco vs Algeria
- Performance criteria and outstanding scores
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has entered its decisive phase. The round of 16 has set the stage for extremely demanding matches. Only eight teams remain in the competition, although not all of them have faced or will face the same difficulties.
Following the round of 16, the quarter-final fixtures have been decided, with matches scheduled for 9 and 10 January. On Friday 9 January, Mali will face Senegal at the Grand Stade de Tangier at 17:00 (local time/WAT), and at 21:00 Cameroon will take on Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. On Saturday 10th, from 5 p.m., Nigeria will play Algeria at the Stade de Marrakech, and from 8 p.m., Egypt will face Ivory Coast at the Stade Adrar in Agadir.
All these matches can be watched live on beIN Sports and associated channels on YouTube or the official platforms of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Where to watch CAN 2025 live
All these matches can be watched live on beIN Sports and associated channels on YouTube or the official platforms of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
No team has a more demanding path than Algeria. To reach the final, it would have to consecutively defeat Nigeria in the quarter-finals, Morocco or Cameroon in the semi-finals, and a historic giant in the final, such as Senegal, Egypt or Ivory Coast.
The most demanding path: Algeria
No team has a more demanding path than Algeria. To reach the final, it must consecutively defeat Nigeria in the quarter-finals, Morocco or Cameroon in the semi-finals, and a historic giant in the final, such as Senegal, Egypt or Ivory Coast.
All this in just 12 days, which makes each match a test of total endurance.
Possible semi-final: Morocco vs Algeria
If both teams win their matches, the 2025 AFCON could offer one of the most tense semi-finals in memory. Morocco vs Algeria is not just a match: it is a political, diplomatic and social rivalry that transcends the pitch.
While Morocco focuses on control and patience when it comes to building up play, Algeria bases its football on character, going for the tackle and taking advantage of its great free-kick takers in set pieces. A clash of styles that makes this match-up the best so far in the tournament.
It would be a tight, physical match, with an emotional charge capable of influencing every decision, and where every missed opportunity could be punished.
Performance criteria and outstanding scores
The main performance analysis platforms, especially SofaScore, agree that the players who are making a difference in the CAN 2025 are doing so through consistency, sustained impact on the game and effectiveness at decisive moments. In a short tournament, an average close to 7 is already considered remarkable; exceeding 8 implies a clearly differential performance within the group.
Under these parameters, and taking SofaScore's ratings after the round of 16 as a reference, the best XI of the Africa Cup of Nations so far, using a 3-4-3 system, is as follows:
The best XI of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (3-4-3)
In goal is Djigui Diarra (Mali), with an average score of 8.0 out of 10, the goalkeeper with the best average performance in the tournament according to SofaScore, decisive in the round of 16.
In defence, Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) scores 7.6, bringing power and reliability to the full-back position; Nayef Aguerd (Morocco) scores 8.0 for his consistency and ball control; and Yasser Ibrahim (Egypt) leads the defence with a score of 9.1, standing out for his dominance in duels and his reading of the game.
The midfield is made up of complementary profiles: Mohamed Attia (Egypt) with a score of 8.5, balance and accuracy in ball distribution; Pape Gueye (Senegal) with a score of 8.8, intensity and transition management; and Yaya Diomandé (Ivory Coast) also with a score of 8.8, pace control and connection between lines.
The attack features a trio with a direct impact on the scoreboard: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria), with an outstanding score of 10.0, has been one of the highest-rated players for his impact on goals and assists; Adams (Nigeria) has a score of 9.2, an effective offensive reference point; and Mohamed Salah (Egypt) completes the trio with a score of 8.8, combining competitive weight and offensive production.
Team of the tournament and key players
This team reflects Nigeria's competitive dominance in decisive areas, Morocco's structural reliability and Egypt's specific weight in high-level matches. More than just individual names, SofaScore's ideal team highlights the importance of consistency and sustained performance in a knockout tournament.
Among the names that have marked the championship are Ademola Lookman, the player with the greatest direct impact on goal-scoring actions, and Yasser Ibrahim, whose exceptional average places him among the most influential defenders in the tournament according to SofaScore metrics.