Nigeria made a strong mark at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with three players named in the Confederation of African Football’s official Best XI: Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Calvin Bassey. Their inclusion, shared by the team’s official X account, highlights the Super Eagles’ influence across attack, creativity, and defence.
These standout performances helped Nigeria climb in the FIFA rankings and showcased the team’s depth, coming off a campaign that combined resilience and skill on football’s biggest African stage. The Super Eagles’ achievements came despite a tense semifinal against Morocco, decided on penalties, as reported by SoftFootball.
Victor Osimhen, playing for Galatasaray, led the line with four goals and two assists, combining physical presence with intelligent movement to trouble opposing defences.
Ademola Lookman, representing Atalanta, impressed from the left wing, contributing three goals and four assists while providing creative spark and incisive dribbling. Their performances not only helped Nigeria secure important results but also drew attention from clubs and fans across Europe.
Calvin Bassey, Fulham’s central defender, anchored the backline with composure, tactical awareness, and strong challenges. His displays were crucial in the knockout stages, particularly when the team faced high-pressure moments.
While other defenders were considered for inclusion, Bassey’s consistency earned him a spot in CAF’s official Team of the Tournament. Together, these three players embodied Nigeria’s resilience and technical quality throughout AFCON 2025.
Senegal dominated the overall Best XI with multiple inclusions, including Player of the Tournament Sadio Mané, after their 1–0 extra-time victory over Morocco in the final.
Check the post below:
Despite not reaching the final, Nigeria’s trio highlighted the country’s depth and emerging talent, showing that the Super Eagles can compete at the highest continental level. Their recognition signals a bright future for Nigerian football and sets a benchmark for upcoming international tournaments.
