Sports
AFCON 2025: CAF names Osimhen, Lookman, Bassey among best XI
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has named three Super Eagles stars, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey in its Best XI for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco.
CAF unveiled the official Team of the Tournament on its verified X platform after the final match on January 18, 2026, where Senegal defeated host nation Morocco 1-0 after extra time to win the AFCON title.
Nigeria finished third at the competition, claiming the bronze medal after defeating Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the third-place playoff match played in Casablanca.
The African football body adopted a 4-3-3 formation for its selection, drawing players exclusively from Senegal, Morocco and Nigeria.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen earned his spot after featuring in six matches and scoring four goals, leading Nigeria’s attack as the three-time champions pushed deep into the competition.
Ademola Lookman also impressed throughout the tournament, finishing as the player with the highest goal involvement, contributing three goals and four assists.
The Atalanta winger made CAF’s Best XI for the second time, having previously earned selection at his debut AFCON outing in Côte d’Ivoire 2023.
Defender Calvin Bassey completed Nigeria’s representation in the elite lineup.
The Fulham centre-back was a defensive mainstay, playing every minute for the Super Eagles and helping the team record three clean sheets, before missing the third-place match due to suspension.
Despite Nigeria’s overall strong showing, midfielder Alex Iwobi was notably omitted from the selection, a decision that has generated debate among fans and analysts who rated him among the tournament’s standout midfield performers.
AFCON champions Senegal dominated the team with four players, including Player of the Tournament Sadio Mane, midfield anchor Idris Gana Gueye, match-winner Pape Gueye, and defender Moussa Niakhite.
Runners-up Morocco were also strongly represented with four players, including Goalkeeper of the Tournament Yassine Bono, defenders Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui, and top scorer Brahim Diaz.
CAF’s selection has since sparked mixed reactions, particularly over the inclusion of Morocco captain Hakimi, who featured in just four matches due to injury and had a relatively subdued tournament by his standards
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