Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey have been recognised among Africa’s elite after being named in the official AFCON 2025 Team of the Tournament, underlining Nigeria’s significant contribution to one of the most competitive editions of the Africa Cup of Nations in recent history.
The selection, compiled by the Confederation of African Football’s Technical Study Group, reflects individual excellence, consistency and tactical influence across the duration of the competition.
The inclusion of the three Super Eagles stars places Nigeria firmly among the continent’s leading football nations at AFCON 2025, despite fierce competition from traditional heavyweights and host nations.
Their selection into the Osimhen Lookman Bassey AFCON 2025 Best XI highlights how Nigerian players were able to influence games at both ends of the pitch, combining attacking flair, midfield creativity and defensive solidity.
Osimhen’s presence in the team of the tournament comes as little surprise following another commanding display on the continental stage.
The Napoli forward once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of Africa’s most feared strikers, offering a blend of pace, power and clinical finishing that troubled even the most organised defences.
His movement off the ball, aerial dominance and ability to lead the line ensured Nigeria always carried a goal threat, even in tightly contested matches.
Beyond his goals and chances created, Osimhen’s overall contribution stood out throughout the tournament.
His pressing from the front disrupted opposition build-up play, while his willingness to track back and engage defenders embodied the modern centre-forward role.
The Victor Osimhen AFCON performance was defined not only by decisive moments in front of goal, but also by leadership and intensity that lifted those around him during critical phases of the competition.
Ademola Lookman’s inclusion further underlined Nigeria’s attacking depth at AFCON 2025. Operating primarily from advanced midfield and wide positions, Lookman emerged as one of the tournament’s most productive creative players.
He finished the competition with three goals and four assists, numbers that placed him among the top contributors across all participating nations and justified his place in the AFCON 2025 Team of the Tournament.
The Ademola Lookman AFCON goals assists tally reflected his growing maturity and tactical awareness at international level.
Lookman combined direct running with intelligent positioning, often drifting into pockets of space to link play or exploit defensive gaps.
His ability to deliver decisive final passes, combined with a willingness to take responsibility in front of goal, made him a constant threat and a key outlet in Nigeria’s attacking transitions.
Calvin Bassey’s selection completed a balanced Nigerian representation in the Osimhen Lookman Bassey AFCON 2025 Best XI. The versatile defender was one of the most reliable performers in the competition, earning praise for his physical presence, composure on the ball and tactical discipline.
Whether deployed centrally or in wider defensive roles, Bassey consistently rose to the demands of high-pressure knockout football.
The Calvin Bassey AFCON defence contribution was particularly evident in matches against elite attacking sides, where his ability to read danger early and win crucial duels proved decisive.
Bassey’s strength in one-on-one situations, combined with his recovery pace, allowed Nigeria to maintain defensive balance even when committing numbers forward.
His performances placed him alongside elite defenders such as Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and Moussa Niakhaté in the final selection.
The AFCON 2025 Team of the Tournament was dominated numerically by champions Senegal and hosts Morocco, who each contributed four players.
Senegal’s triumph was reflected in the inclusion of key figures such as Sadio Mané, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye and Moussa Niakhaté, all of whom played pivotal roles in their title-winning campaign.
Morocco’s strong home showing was also rewarded, with Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and Brahim Díaz making the final XI.
Bounou’s inclusion in goal followed an exceptional tournament in which he recorded five clean sheets, anchoring Morocco’s defensive structure and providing leadership from the back.
His shot-stopping ability and command of the penalty area were instrumental in guiding the hosts deep into the competition and securing multiple narrow victories.
In attack, Osimhen was flanked by Mané and Díaz, creating a forward line that combined experience, creativity and clinical finishing.
Mané’s tournament once again reinforced his status as one of Africa’s most influential footballers, while Díaz brought technical quality and intelligence to Morocco’s attacking play.
Together with Osimhen, the trio represented a blend of styles that defined AFCON 2025’s attacking narrative.
The midfield selection, featuring Lookman alongside Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Gueye, highlighted the importance of balance and work rate in modern tournament football.
While the Senegalese duo provided defensive cover and ball progression, Lookman added dynamism and creativity, ensuring the midfield unit could contribute at both ends of the pitch.
Reaction to the Osimhen Lookman Bassey AFCON 2025 Best XI has been mixed among fans, with some praising the selections as deserved recognition of consistent excellence, while others have debated omissions and positional choices.
Such discussions are a familiar feature following every major tournament, reflecting the depth of talent across the African continent and the fine margins that often separate inclusion from exclusion.
Read also: Inter vs Arsenal Champions League: Gunners silence San Siro with commanding win
For Nigeria, the recognition of three players in the AFCON 2025 Team of the Tournament serves as both a reward and a foundation.
It reinforces the country’s ability to produce elite-level footballers capable of competing with the very best in Africa, while also highlighting areas for collective growth as the Super Eagles look ahead to future continental and global competitions.
Ultimately, the selection of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey stands as a testament to individual brilliance forged within a demanding team environment.
Their performances at AFCON 2025 ensured Nigeria remained a central part of the tournament’s story, and their inclusion in the best XI cements their status among Africa’s standout performers on the biggest stage.
About The Author
