The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations delivered drama, excitement, and moments that will be remembered for years. From last‑minute goals to tense penalty shootouts, the tournament had it all. But behind every big save and match‑winning stop were the goalkeepers, who often carried their teams through the toughest moments.
In this piece, Footynaija.com ranks the top 7 goalkeepers at AFCON 2025, based on impact, numbers, and moments that shaped the competition.
7. Washington Arubi — Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s Washington Arubi was a goalkeeper who faced constant pressure. He finished with 20 saves in three games, showing remarkable endurance and shot-stopping ability despite his team conceding goals. Arubi’s efforts, including some acrobatic saves and command of the penalty area, made him one of the most active and reliable goalkeepers in the tournament.
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6. Goitseone Phoko — Botswana
Goitseone Phoko was the standout for Botswana, even though his team exited early. He recorded 20 saves in three matches, the joint highest in AFCON 2025 alongside Washington Arubi. In the group stage clash against Senegal, Phoko made an astonishing 14 saves in a single game, keeping the score 3‑0 and preventing an even heavier defeat.
5. Mohamed El‑Shenawy — Egypt
Egypt’s veteran Mohamed El‑Shenawy gave the Pharaohs stability. Across the tournament, he averaged around 3–4 saves per game and conceded roughly one goal per match, keeping Egypt in contention in most of their games.
4. Luca Zidane — Algeria
Algeria’s Luca Zidane also stood out in goal. He helped the Desert Foxes secure clean sheets in wins against Sudan (3‑0) and Burkina Faso (1‑0) in the group stage.
3. Stanley Nwabali — Nigeria
Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali was heroic in the Super Eagles’ march to third place. In the third-place playoff against Egypt (0‑0), he saved two penalties from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, helping Nigeria win 4‑2 on penalties.
2. Édouard Mendy — Senegal
Senegal’s Édouard Mendy was calm and decisive throughout AFCON 2025. He jointly kept five clean sheets, with Yassine Bounou, and added a late penalty save in the final against Morocco, stopping Brahim Díaz to push the match into extra time. Senegal then scored through Pape Gueye to win 1‑0 and lift the trophy.
1. Yassine Bounou, Morocco
Morocco’s Yassine Bounou was the backbone of the host nation’s run to the final. The Golden Glove winner kept 5 clean sheets in 7 matches, conceding just two for Morocco in the tournament.
His reflexes were on full display in the knockout stages, especially in tight matches where a single save made the difference. Bono’s command of the area and shot-stopping ability gave Morocco confidence to reach the final, where they narrowly lost 1‑0 to Senegal after extra time.
