Legends Unite: African Football Icons to Grace AFCON 2025 Final Draw.

Several African football legends will attend the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 Final Draw, scheduled to take place at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat on Monday, 27 January.

Among the celebrated figures gracing the event are Essam El Hadary, Patrick Mboma, Aymen Mathlouthi, and Gervinho.

The draw, starting at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT | 20:00 Cairo), will showcase these legends, who have left an indelible mark on African football. These icons have contributed significantly to the rich history of the AFCON, built on remarkable performances and moments of brilliance.

Here’s a closer look at their achievements:

ESSAM EL HADARY (EGYPT)

El Hadary holds a unique place in football history as the oldest player to compete in a FIFA World Cup, appearing for Egypt in Russia at 45 years and 161 days. His international career spanned 22 years (1996–2018), earning 159 caps.

A four-time AFCON champion (1998, 2006, 2008, 2010), El Hadary also won three CAF Champions League titles with Al Ahly, solidifying his legacy as one of Africa’s greatest goalkeepers.

PATRICK MBOMA (CAMEROON)

Crowned African Footballer of the Year in 2000, Mboma was instrumental in Cameroon’s AFCON triumph that year, scoring in both the semi-final and final. He repeated his success in 2002 as the Indomitable Lions claimed another title.

Mboma, who scored 11 goals across four AFCON tournaments, also won Olympic gold with Cameroon at Sydney 2000 and participated in two FIFA World Cup finals.

MOMO SISSOKO (MALI)

Sissoko represented Mali in the AFCON tournaments of 2004, 2008, 2010, and 2013, helping his team secure third place in the latter edition.

He scored in Mali’s 2004 opener against Kenya.At the club level, Sissoko enjoyed a glittering career, playing for Valencia, Liverpool, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain, winning La Liga and Ligue 1 titles along the way.

CHRISTOPHER KATONGO (ZAMBIA)

Katongo was named Player of the Tournament at the 2012 AFCON, where he captained Zambia to their first continental title.

He scored in the penalty shootout that sealed victory against Côte d’Ivoire in the final.With goals in four AFCON editions (2006–2012), Katongo also shone in club football, playing in South Africa, Denmark, and Germany, where he claimed the Golden Boot in the South African Premier League.

AYMEN MATHLOUTHI (TUNISIA)

Nicknamed “Balbouli,” Mathlouthi represented Tunisia in four AFCON tournaments (2010, 2012, 2015, 2017) and was part of the squads in 2008 and 2013.At club level with Etoile du Sahel, he won both the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

Mathlouthi was also pivotal in Tunisia’s 2011 African Nations Championship win and played in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

GERVINHO (CÔTE D’IVOIRE)

Gervinho, known for his flair and pace, was an integral part of Côte d’Ivoire’s 2015 AFCON-winning squad. He competed in five tournaments (2008–2015), finishing as a runner-up in 2012.

On the global stage, he represented Côte d’Ivoire at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, scoring twice in the latter. At the club level, Gervinho was instrumental in Lille’s surprise Ligue 1 title win in 2011 before successful stints with Arsenal and Roma.

These legends embody the passion and excellence of African football, adding prestige to the AFCON 2025 draw.

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