Three Nigerian players have been named in the official Best XI of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, unveiled on Wednesday by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Afrosport reports.
The star-studded selection features standout performers from Nigeria, champions Senegal, and hosts Morocco, reflecting an unforgettable competition in Rabat.
Senegal dominated the lineup, led by captain Sadio Mane, who was also named Player of the Tournament after inspiring the Teranga Lions to their AFCON 2025 triumph. Mane forms a formidable attacking trio alongside Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Morocco’s Brahim Diaz, the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.
Osimhen, Nigeria’s talisman, was a constant threat throughout the tournament. He netted four goals as Nigeria reached the semifinals, narrowly losing to Morocco on penalties before defeating Egypt in the third-place match.
For Morocco, Diaz was instrumental in their run to the final and, despite missing a late penalty in the decider, finished as the tournament’s Golden Boot winner.
Nigeria’s presence is further highlighted in midfield with Ademola Lookman, who ended AFCON 2025 as the top assist provider with four assists. His creativity and attacking intelligence were key as the Super Eagles finished with the highest goal tally of the tournament, scoring 14 times.
Senegal’s midfield duo of Pape Gueye, who scored the winning goal in the final, and Idrissa Gueye underscores the Teranga Lions’ dominance in central areas.
Excellence, position by position. Meet the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 best XI. 🌟@Midea pic.twitter.com/DP3r3AzMiF
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 21, 2026
The defensive line features Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui at right and left-back, while Senegal’s Moussa Niakhate partners Nigeria’s Calvin Bassey in central defence.
Between the posts, Morocco’s Yassine Bounou claimed the Golden Glove after keeping five clean sheets.
