Super Eagles trio Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey have been named in the official 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Best XI released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday, following the conclusion of the tournament in Morocco.
The selection features standout performers from just three nations: champions Senegal, runners-up Morocco, and bronze medallists Nigeria. CAF’s team reflects players who consistently impressed across the competition, which ended with Senegal lifting their second AFCON title in three editions.
In goal is Morocco’s Yassine Bounou, who was also crowned the tournament’s Golden Glove winner. The 34-year-old shotstopper enjoyed a remarkable campaign, keeping five clean sheets in seven matches and not conceding an open-play goal until the final against Senegal.
Nigeria’s Calvin Bassey is named in central defence after a commanding tournament for the Super Eagles. The centre-back was instrumental as Nigeria did not concede a single goal throughout the knockout stages. He is partnered by Senegal’s Moussa Niakhaté, who was ever-present for the Teranga Lions, playing every minute of every game except their final group-stage match.
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The full-back positions are occupied by Moroccan duo Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui. Both were key figures in the Atlas Lions’ journey to the final, with Mazraoui featuring in every match, while Hakimi made decisive contributions in the knockout rounds after missing most of the group stage due to injury.
In midfield, Senegal’s experience and balance are well represented. Idrissa Gueye earns a place after playing every minute of Senegal’s victorious campaign and providing the assist for the winning goal in the final. He is joined by Pape Gueye, who scored the decisive goal in extra time of the final and finished the tournament with three goals. Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman completes the midfield after a stellar AFCON, recording the highest goal contributions (seven) and scoring three goals.
The attack features a blend of brilliance and pedigree. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz is included after a sensational debut AFCON, finishing as the Golden Boot winner with five goals and becoming the first Moroccan to score in five consecutive matches at the tournament. Senegal legend Sadio Mané also makes the team after leading the champions on and off the pitch, contributing two goals and three assists and earning the Player of the Tournament award.
Leading the line is Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, whose impact grew as the tournament progressed. The Galatasaray striker finished with four goals and two assists, coming alive in the knockout rounds with a brace in the round of 16 against Mozambique before adding a goal and an assist in the quarter-finals against Algeria.
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