THREE Super Eagles stars, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey have been named in the official Team of the Tournament for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following a comprehensive technical assessment conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
However, the list notably excluded Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi, whose omission has sparked debate among fans and analysts, given his influential role during the tournament.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Osimhen, Lookman and Bassey earned their places after delivering standout performances that powered Nigeria to a third-place finish at the continental showpiece.
CAF disclosed that the selections were made by its Technical Study Group (TSG), which utilised an advanced and fully integrated evaluation system throughout the competition.
According to the football body, the assessment combined on-site and remote analysis, live performance data, multi-angle video feeds, and the work of dedicated video analysts to ensure that every player’s contribution was objectively measured across all matches.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen featured in six of Nigeria’s seven matches and scored four goals, averaging one goal every 135 minutes.
The Galatasaray forward recorded an average of 3.5 shots per game, with 1.7 on target, and demonstrated versatility in front of goal by scoring twice with his head, once with his right foot and once with his left.
CAF noted that Osimhen’s relentless movement, physical presence and consistent attacking threat made him a natural inclusion in the tournament’s Best XI.
Winger Ademola Lookman emerged as one of the most productive attackers at AFCON 2025, contributing three goals and four assists in five appearances.
He created five clear-cut chances, averaged 2.7 key passes per game, and recorded the highest overall goal involvement in the competition.
CAF highlighted Lookman’s 25 per cent goal conversion rate, combined with his high passing accuracy, as evidence of his dual impact as both a scorer and creator in Nigeria’s attacking play.
Defender Calvin Bassey was ever-present in Nigeria’s backline, playing every minute as the left-sided centre-back until his suspension ruled him out of the third-place match against Egypt.
The Fulham defender played a crucial role in Nigeria’s defensive organisation, helping the team keep clean sheets in all knockout matches.
Bassey averaged 5.3 ball recoveries, 3.2 clearances per game, won 61 per cent of his duels, and crucially committed no errors leading to shots or goals, underlining his defensive consistency.
Despite his leadership and midfield influence for the Super Eagles, Alex Iwobi failed to make the final Best XI cut, a decision that has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerian supporters.
CAF did not give specific reasons for his exclusion, stating only that selections were based strictly on technical and statistical evaluations.
The overall Team of the Tournament was dominated by finalists Senegal and Morocco, who each had four players selected.
Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou impressed by conceding just two goals in seven matches, while Brahim Díaz emerged as the tournament’s top scorer. Captain Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui were also selected as full-backs.
AFCON champions Senegal, crowned winners for the second time, contributed defender Moussa Niakhaté, midfielders Pape Gueye and Idrissa Gueye, and forward Sadio Mané, who was named Player of the Tournament.