Nigeria’s Super Eagles Dominate AFCON Team of the Tournament

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By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi 

Rabat, Morocco — Nigeria’s Super Eagles have emerged as one of the most compelling stories at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with multiple players included in the prestigious AFCON Team of the Tournament following a dramatic showcase in Morocco. The selections underline the significant contributions by Nigerian stars on the continental stage, even as Senegal clinched the title in controversial fashion on January 18, 2026. 



 Nigerian Stars Among Continent’s Elite


The Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Team of the Tournament features several Nigerians who were central to the Super Eagles’ deep run:


Victor Osimhen – The talismanic forward, captain of the Super Eagles, once again demonstrated his world-class quality throughout the competition.


Ademola Lookman – The Atalanta midfielder/winger lit up Morocco with eye-catching performances, contributing key goals and assists.


Bruno Onyemaechi – Nigeria’s defensive resoluteness was rewarded with a place in the tournament XI, reflecting his consistent showings at left-back. 



Also named in the team were stars from other African powerhouses including Sadio Mané (Senegal), Mohamed Salah (Egypt), and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco), underlining the high quality of competition on display. 


Super Eagles’ Tournament Journey


Nigeria’s campaign in Morocco was marked by attacking football and strategic growth under coach Eric Chelle:


Group Stage Powerhouse: The Super Eagles topped Group C with wins over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, featuring a vibrant partnership between Osimhen and Lookman to score eight goals across three matches. 


Knockout Dominance: In the round of 16, Nigeria produced a sweeping 4-0 victory over Mozambique, with Lookman opening the scoring and Osimhen netting a brace in what was the biggest win in an AFCON knockout tie in over a decade. 


Quarter-Final Success: Nigeria then defeated Algeria 2-0 to reach the semi-finals, a match in which Osimhen was influential both as scorer and creator. 


Semi-Final Heartbreak: A tense semi-final against hosts Morocco ended in a penalty shootout defeat, denying Nigeria a place in the final but setting up a third-place showdown with Egypt. 


Bronze Medal Finish: The Super Eagles secured third place after beating Egypt 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw, ensuring a podium finish for the West African giants. 


 Individual Brilliance


Victor Osimhen continued to elevate his continental reputation, combining goal scoring with leadership — and closing in on Nigeria’s all-time scoring records.


Ademola Lookman frequently drove Nigeria’s attacking play, with his assists and goals earning him plaudits and a spot in CAF’s best tournament XI. His creative output was a major reason Nigeria finished with one of the tournament’s highest goal totals. 


Bruno Onyemaechi anchored Nigeria’s left flank, blending defensive solidity with forward thrusts that drew praise from analysts and supporters alike.


 AFCON 2025 Legacy


While Senegal lifted the AFCON trophy in a gripping final against Morocco — a match that included dramatic VAR controversy and scenes of protest — Nigeria’s performance reinforced its status as a continental heavyweight and showcased some of the brightest talents in African football. 


Nigeria’s footballing future now turns toward building on this performance as they aim to secure a fourth AFCON title — the country’s first since 2013 — and to make an impact on the global stage in future tournaments.


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