2025 AFCON Mozzart Sport Kenya's Round 1 Best XI: Current and ex-EPL stars' dominance

The opening round of the Africa Cup of Nations is over, and the situation in all groups has only just started to heat up. The first clashes did not spring any surprises, as the favourites justified their roles, and, interestingly, only one duel ended in a draw (Mali-Zambia 1-1).

Many players shone for their national teams, hinting at an excellent tournament they might have, and Mozzart Sport Kenya decided to build a Team of the Round 1, based on the players' performances, displays, and contributions.

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From our point of view, the former and current English Premier League players have completely dominated the first round of the 2025 AFCON, as seven out of 11 players we included in our "Best XI" either play or have played in the EPL.

However, let's start from the beginning, from the custodian. DR Congo's Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, a player of the French Le Havre, found his place between the posts, thanks to his solid performance and a clean sheet against Benin.

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Players who both scored in the opening round and whose teams won their respective games 2-1 make up a centre-back tandem. Nigeria's Semi Ajayi, a current Hull City player and former West Bromwich Albion EPL star, broke the deadlock against Tanzania, while his sidekick, Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen, netted a 98th-minute winner for Burkina Faso against Equatorial Guinea, earning his place among the "Best XI".

Man United and West Ham stars, Noussair Mazraoui of Morocco and Arthur Masuaku of DR Congo, each kept clean sheets and recorded assists in the opening round - good enough for places on the right and left defensive flanks.

A two-time assist provider in the Super Eagles' 2-1 triumph, Fulham's Alex Iwobi, is a central midfielder, and the men who each bagged a brace, Tunisia's Copenhagen player, Elias Achouri, and the ex-Man City superstar and Algeria captain, who plays for the Saudi Al-Ahli, Riyad Mahrez, are positioned ahead of the Nigerian.

The attacking trio is as potent as it gets. The ex-Chelsea man and current Bayern Munich forward, Nicolas Jackson, earned his place on the team with a brace for Senegal against Botswana, while Burnley's South African, Lyle Foster, recorded a goal and an assist in Bafana Bafana's 2-1 triumph over Angola.

Finally, a Greek Olympiacos striker, Morocco's Ayoub El Kaabi, couldn't have been overlooked after scoring a mesmerizing bicycle-kick banger in the opening clash of the tournament against Comoros.

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS - GROUP STAGE

Friday

15.30: (1.82) Angola (3.45) Zimbabwe (4.70)

18.00: (1.95) Egypt (3.35) South Africa (4.20)

20.30: (2.20) Zambia (3.15) Comoros (3.60)

23.00: (1.55) Morocco (3.80) Mali (7.00)

Saturday

15.30: (1.70) Benin (3.50) Botswana (5.50)

18.00: (1.75) Senegal (3.50) Dr Congo (5.10)

20.30: (2.40) Uganda (3.10) Tanzania (3.20)

23.00: (2.40) Nigeria (3.10) Tunisia (3.20)

Sunday

15.30: (1.92) Gabon (3.35) Mozambique (4.30)

18.00: (2.50) Equatorial Guinea (3.10) Sudan (3.05)

20.30: (2.00) Algeria (3.35) Burkina Faso (4.00)

23.00: (2.20) Ivory Coast (3.15) Cameroon (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***