- Kevin Wangaya stood out in the AFCON U20 group stage in Egypt, earning a spot in the official Best XI.
- He scored once, provided an assist, and was named Man of the Match against Nigeria.
- CAF’s Technical Study Group selected a 4-2-3-1 formation to highlight top performers from the 20 group matches.
Kenya U20 sensation Kevin Wangaya has been named in the official Best XI of the group stage at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 as selected by the CAF Technical Study Group (TSG).
The TSG unveiled a well-balanced 4-2-3-1 lineup for the Team of the Group Stage, honoring exceptional performers across the tournament’s 20 matches.
Despite Kenya’s early exit after finishing at the bottom of Group B with just one point, Wangaya emerged as a shining light, securing his place among the elite with a goal and an assist.
The dynamic midfielder etched his name in the tournament’s records by providing an assist in Kenya’s thrilling 2-3 defeat to Morocco.
He further stamped his authority by converting a penalty in a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Nigeria, a match where he was also crowned Man of the Match.
Wangaya’s stellar displays made him the sole Kenyan representative in the selection, as well as the only player to achieve the distinction of winning Man of the Match while contributing both a goal and an assist.
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Currently a free agent, Wangaya joins South Africa’s Lazola Maku in midfield, while Sierra Leone’s Momoh Kamara spearheads the attack, flanked by Morocco’s Othmane Maamma and Zambia’s Joseph Sabobo.
Zambia’s Levison Banda was named Best Goalkeeper, anchoring a defensive line featuring Nigeria’s Odinaka Okoro and Daniel Bameyi, Ghana’s Dacosta Antwi, and Sierra Leone’s Nathaniel Jalloh.
Leading the frontline is DR Congo’s Samuel Ntanda-Lukisa, whose two crucial goals propelled his team into the knockout stages.
Morocco’s Mohamed Ouahbi earned the Best Coach accolade for steering his injury-plagued squad through an unbeaten group stage campaign, while Ghana received the Fair Play Award for their exemplary discipline.
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AFCON U20 2025 – Group Stage Best XI (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Levison Banda (Zambia)
Defenders
2. Nathaniel Jalloh (Sierra Leone)
3. Odinaka Okoro (Nigeria)
4. Daniel Bameyi (Nigeria)
5. Dacosta Antwi (Ghana)
Midfielders
6. Kevin Wangaya (Kenya)
7. Lazola Maku (South Africa)
8. Momoh Kamara (Sierra Leone)
Forwards
9. Joseph Sabobo (Zambia)
10. Othmane Maamma (Morocco)
11. Samuel Ntanda-Lukisa (DR Congo)
AFCON U20 Individual awards (Group stage)
Best Player: Momoh Kamara (Sierra Leone)
Best Goalkeeper: Levison Banda (Zambia)
Top Scorer: Momoh Kamara (4 goals, Sierra Leone)
Best Coach: Mohamed Ouahbi (Morocco)
Fair Play Team: Ghana