AFCON 2025: Africa’s Last Five Ballon d’Or Winners Headline the Semi-Finals

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has reached its decisive stage, and the semi-finals bring together the continent’s elite. Tournament heavyweights Morocco and Senegal have secured their places alongside Nigeria and Egypt, with all four teams featuring the last five winners of the African Ballon d’Or.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Achraf Hakimi will all be in action in the final four, underlining the exceptional individual quality present at this stage of AFCON 2025.

An elite semi-final lineup

The last four teams are among Africa’s most decorated football nations. Egypt have lifted the AFCON trophy seven times, Nigeria three times, while Senegal and Morocco each have one continental title. All four are experienced in high-pressure knockout matches and boast world-class leaders capable of deciding games.

Mohamed Salah – Egypt (Ballon d’Or Africa 2017, 2018)

A two-time African Ballon d’Or winner, Mohamed Salah arrives at AFCON 2025 amid a turbulent club season with Liverpool. Despite a legendary legacy since joining the Reds in 2017, including Champions League and Premier League titles, the Egyptian star has faced reduced playing time this season.

Salah has, however, once again risen to the occasion with the national team. Captain of the Pharaohs, he played a decisive role in Egypt’s dramatic 3-2 quarter-final victory over Ivory Coast in Agadir, contributing a goal and an assist to earn man-of-the-match honors.

Still chasing his first AFCON title as a player, Salah acknowledged the challenge facing Egypt, whose squad relies heavily on domestic-based players. Whether he can finally lift the continental trophy remains one of the tournament’s biggest storylines.

Sadio Mané – Senegal (Ballon d’Or Africa 2019, 2022)

A symbol of Senegal’s golden generation, Sadio Mané has twice been crowned Africa’s best player. After leading the Lions of Teranga to their historic AFCON triumph in 2022, Mané continues to influence games despite moving away from Europe’s top leagues.

At 33, he may have lost some explosiveness, but his leadership remains invaluable. With one goal and three assists at AFCON 2025, Mané has become the competition’s all-time leading assist provider and the most decisive player in AFCON history when combining goals and assists.

Victor Osimhen – Nigeria (Ballon d’Or Africa 2023)

Nigeria’s talisman, Victor Osimhen, has rediscovered his sharpest form at AFCON 2025. Now playing for Galatasaray, the masked striker has been prolific this season and devastating in the tournament, scoring four goals and delivering two assists in five matches.

Driven by Nigeria’s defeat in the 2024 final, Osimhen has emerged as a complete forward, combining scoring efficiency with relentless defensive effort. The Super Eagles, tournament top scorers, now challenge host nation Morocco in a highly anticipated semi-final.

Ademola Lookman – Nigeria (Ballon d’Or Africa 2024)

Often operating alongside Osimhen, Ademola Lookman has been one of AFCON 2025’s most influential players. With four goals and four assists, the Atalanta forward has once again delivered on the continental stage.

Despite a complicated club season in Italy, Lookman has thrived with Nigeria, proving instrumental in their attacking dominance. His chemistry with Osimhen remains one of the tournament’s most dangerous combinations.

Achraf Hakimi – Morocco (Ballon d’Or Africa 2025)

The reigning African Ballon d’Or winner, Achraf Hakimi is the heartbeat of Morocco’s campaign. Recovering from a serious ankle injury sustained earlier in the season, the PSG right-back fought to be fit for the home tournament.

Gradually reintegrated into the squad, Hakimi has grown stronger with each match and played a key role in Morocco’s convincing quarter-final victory over Cameroon. As captain, his presence embodies Morocco’s ambition to lift the AFCON trophy on home soil.

With five Ballon d’Or winners sharing the semi-final stage, AFCON 2025 confirms its status as one of the most talent-rich editions in the competition’s history.