2025 AFCON Mozzart Sport Kenya's Round 2 Best XI: Pharaohs to defend, Super Eagles to attack

The second round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is now complete, but numerous questions remain unanswered. Currently, we know that Egypt, Nigeria, and Algeria have progressed from the group stage, while Equatorial Guinea are the first eliminated team. All the other knockout phase spots are open, and various scenarios are (more or less) possible.

Nevertheless, just like after the opening set of games, Mozzart Sport Kenya brings you the "Best XI" of the just-ended second round of AFCON, based on our evaluation of the players' performances and displays.

TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How Cameroon and Ivory Coast cancelled each other out in heavyweight duel

Egypt triumphed in a Group B derby clash against South Africa 1-0, making a massive step towards winning the top spot. The Pharaohs played with a man down for the entire second half and managed to defend the lead Mohamed Salah gave them from the spot, so two of their defensive pillars - the custodian Mohamed El Shenawy and the centre-back Rami Rabia found their places in the lineup.

Mali's back line also put in a heroic display against the hosts, Morocco, salvaging a 1-1 draw. The Eagles fought bravely and withstood the Atlas Lions' pressure, mainly thanks to their key centre-back Abdoulaye Diaby, who also deserved the spot in the XI.

The final piece of the defensive puzzle is Benin's Yohan Roche, who bounced back against Botswana, scoring the winner in a vital 1-0 triumph, after his mistake had led to the Cheetahs' opening-round defeat to DR Congo.

Man United's Ivorian Amad Diallo and Algeria's captain Riyad Mahrez - the only player with back-to-back selecetion to the "Best XI" - are on the flanks after scoring for their respective national teams, while the two central midfielders are Nigeria's captain Wilfred Ndidi, one of the scorers against South Africa, and Mozambique's hero Geny Catamo, who led his crew to its historic maiden AFCON victory (over Gabon, 3-2) with a goal and an assist.

Finally, the Super Eagles attacking duo of Ademola Lookman (two assists and a goal) and Victor Osimhen (two goals and an assist), who crushed Bafana Bafana fill two out of three spots in the offense, while Mali's hero, who won a penalty and sent it home in a 1-1 draw against the hosts, Lassine Sinayoko, is the final member of Mozzart Sport Kenya's "Best XI".

AFCON 2025 - GROUP STAGE

3rd round

Monday

Angola - Egypt IN PROGRESS

Zimbabwe - South Africa IN PROGRESS

22.00: (6.75) Comoros (3.90) Mali (1.55)

22.00: (14.0) Zambia (6.00) Morocco (1.22)

Tuesday

19.00: (8.00) Tanzania (4.00) Tunisia (1.47)

19.00: (3.45) Uganda (3.15) Nigeria (2.25)

22.00: (11.0) Benin (5.20) Senegal (1.30)

22.00: (12.0) Botswana (5.60) Dr Congo (1.27)

Wednesday

19.00: (6.00) Equatorial Guinea (3.60) Algeria (1.65)

19.00: (4.60) Sudan (3.35) Burkina Faso (1.87)

22.00: (6.00) Gabon (3.60) Ivory Coast (1.65)

22.00: (7.00) Mozambique (4.50) Cameroon (1.45)

***odds are subject to change***