Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Calvin Bassey have been selected in the Team of the Tournament for the just‑concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco.
Gatekeepers News reports that Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced this on Wednesday. Their inclusion underlines Nigeria’s strong showing at the championship and marks a proud moment for the three Super Eagles stars.
Osimhen was one of the most dangerous forwards at the tournament, finishing with four goals and two assists to help Nigeria secure the bronze medal.
The Galatasaray striker scored consistently and played a key role in Nigeria’s run to the podium, bringing leadership and finishing quality to the Super Eagles’ attack.
Lookman also enjoyed a standout tournament, ending with the most goal contributions overall, scoring and creating goals at crucial moments.
His performance marked the second AFCON in a row that he was recognised as one of the competition’s top players, confirming his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most effective and creative attackers.
Defender Calvin Bassey was the mainstay of Nigeria’s backline, anchoring the defence that kept clean sheets through much of the knockout stages.
His commanding presence and defensive consistency earned him a place among Africa’s elite defenders in the team of the tournament.
The full CAF Best XI also highlights other top performers from across Africa. Included among them is Sadio Mané, who was named Player of the Tournament after inspiring Senegal to the title with powerful performances throughout the competition.
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz, who finished as the top scorer and won the Golden Boot, also made the team, alongside his compatriots Yassine Bounou, the tournament’s best goalkeeper, Achraf Hakimi, and Noussair Mazraoui. Senegal’s representation continues with midfielders Idrissa Gueye and Pape Gueye, while defender Moussa Niakhaté featured among the continent’s best.
Senegal lifted the 2025 AFCON trophy after defeating hosts Morocco 1‑0 in extra time in the final, a match that featured dramatic moments and a controversial penalty decision before Pape Gueye struck the winning goal.
Nigeria claimed third place with a victory over Egypt in a penalty shootout, securing their ninth bronze medal in the tournament’s history.
CAF’s technical study group selected the team after a careful performance review, combining match data, video analysis, and expert evaluation to identify the players who delivered consistently high‑level displays across the tournament.
This official Best XI recognises those whose efforts were key to their teams’ successes and who left a lasting impression during AFCON 2025.
