The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially unveiled its Best XI selection for the group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with Nigerian talent prominently featured. Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman earned a midfield spot, while the team's head coach, Eric Chelle, was named the manager of the prestigious group stage lineup.
CAF's Best Eleven: A Blend of Experience and Form
The team, announced on January 2, 2026, ahead of the tournament's knockout rounds, recognizes standout performers from the initial phase held between December 21 and December 31, 2025. Egyptian veteran Mohamed El Shenawy, at 36 years old, was selected as goalkeeper for his commanding displays.
The defensive line consists of Morocco's Noussair Mazraoui and Yahia Attiat-Allah El Abdi, DR Congo's Axel Tuanzebe, and Burkina Faso's Edmond Tapsoba. The midfield trio features Morocco's Brahim Diaz, Cameroon's Carlos Baleba, and Nigeria's Ademola Lookman, with the latter two wingers praised for their versatile performances.
An experienced attacking trio completes the XI: Senegal's Sadio Mane and Algeria's Riyad Mahrez on the wings, with Cote d'Ivoire's Amad Diallo leading the line as the central striker.
Perfect Record Earns Chelle Managerial Honour
Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle received the nod as the team's manager after masterminding a perfect group stage campaign with three victories. He shares the distinction of a flawless record with Algeria's Vladimir Petkovic, whose team also won all its group matches.
The Round of 16 is set to commence on January 3, 2026, featuring high-profile clashes like South Africa versus Cameroon and Algeria against DR Congo.
Fan Backlash and Notable Omissions
The release of the team sparked immediate debate among football fans online, with many arguing that several top performers were unjustly excluded. Critics labeled the selection as overly "politically correct," favoring big names and geographic representation over current form.
Key players missing from the list who were highlighted by supporters include:
- Calvin Bassey (Nigeria): Fans questioned his absence despite a "phenomenal" group stage.
- Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco): His three goals were not enough for a forward spot.
- Lyle Foster (South Africa) and Mohamed Salah (Egypt) were also mentioned as surprising omissions.
Many suggested Amad Diallo should be moved to the wing to accommodate a more natural striker like El Kaabi or Foster, questioning the selection logic.
Lookman Rated Tournament's Best
The inclusion of Ademola Lookman is backed by impressive statistics. Legit.ng previously reported that the 2024 African Footballer of the Year is rated as the best player of the AFCON 2025 group stage by statistical website WhoScored, with a rating of 8.36.
In his two group stage appearances, Lookman was directly involved in four goals, scoring twice and providing two assists in matches against Tanzania and Tunisia, underscoring his crucial role for the Super Eagles as they progress to the knockout phase where they are set to face Mozambique.
