AFCON Update: South African League Leads African-Based Players With NPFL Having One Representative

AFCON Update: South African League Leads African-Based Players With NPFL Having One Representative

Sampson Adedeji

The South African Premier League has emerged as the leading domestic competition supplying African-based players for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

 Players plying their trade in South Africa dominate the locally based contingent selected for the tournament, with Bafana Bafana naming a total of 21 home-based players in their final squad.

Orlando Pirates account for a significant share of that number, contributing nine players to the South African team.

Egypt follows closely behind, with 18 players selected from its domestic league.

CAF Champions League holders Al Ahly remain the backbone of the Pharaohs’ squad, providing eight players for the continental showpiece.

Several other African leagues are also well represented at AFCON 2025. Tunisia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe have each named a notable number of players drawn from their local competitions, underlining the growing confidence in home-based talents across the continent.

In contrast, the Nigeria Premier Football League has just one representative at the tournament. Remo Stars goalkeeper Serge Obassa is the sole NPFL player listed, earning a call-up to the Benin Republic squad, where he will represent the Cheetahs in Morocco.

 The figures further highlight the varying levels of reliance on domestic leagues across Africa as nations prepare for the continent’s biggest football festival.