Ademola Lookman has been named among the standout performers of the group stage at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The 28-year-old winger is the only Nigerian player selected in the official Best XI for the group phase released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday.
Lookman delivered an impressive showing, scoring two goals and providing two assists as Nigeria cruised into the round of 16 with a perfect nine points from three matches in Group C. The Atalanta forward netted the match-winning goal in Nigeria’s opening game against Tanzania and later capped a dominant display with a fine third goal in the victory over Tunisia.
In recognition of Nigeria’s strong start to the tournament, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle was also named Best Coach of the Group Stage.
Morocco contributed two players — Brahim Diaz and Noussair Mazraoui — to the Best XI, while Côte d’Ivoire’s Amad Diallo leads the attack alongside Senegal’s Sadio Mané and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez. Egypt’s Mohamed El Shenawy was selected as goalkeeper.
The defence and midfield are completed by Cameroon’s Carlos Baleba, Congo DR’s Axel Tuanzebe, Tunisia’s Ali Abdi, and Burkina Faso centre-back Edmond Tapsoba.
The knockout phase of the 2025 AFCON begins on December 3, with Nigeria set to face Mozambique on December 5.