• Lookman, Osimhen, Bassey listed

Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey have been included in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Best XI of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025.

The selection was announced by CAF’s Technical Study Group (TSG) after the tournament ended on Sunday. The trio played key roles in Nigeria’s campaign, which saw the Super Eagles finish third overall.

Tournament winners Senegal and finalists Morocco dominated the Best XI, with four players each making the final list.

According to CAF, the Team of the Tournament was selected through a comprehensive technical evaluation process. This involved both remote and on-site assessments, supported by live data platforms, multi-angle video footage and analysis by technical experts.

Morocco’s goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, led his country’s representation after conceding only two goals in seven matches. He was joined by teammates Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and Brahim Díaz, who emerged as the tournament’s highest goal scorer.

Senegal’s representatives include defender Moussa Niakhaté, midfielders Pape Gueye and Idrissa Gueye, as well as forward Sadio Mané. Mané was also named Player of the Tournament following his decisive contributions to Senegal’s title-winning campaign.

Nigeria’s inclusion in the Best XI through Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen reflects the Super Eagles’ strong solidarity and competitive performance at the continental tournament.

Osimhen, the Galatasaray striker, was Nigeria’s top scorer at the tournament with an impressive four goals in six matches while Lookman grabbed four goals with an impressive four assists in six matches.

Fulham defender, Bassey, stood like a rock of Gibraltar in the heart of the Super Eagles’ defence and was even rewarded with the man of the Match Award in the il-fated match against hosts, Morocco in the semi-finals.

AFCON 2025 TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT

Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Morocco)

Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco);Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal);Calvin Bassey (Nigeria);Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)

Midfielders: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria); Pape Gueye (Senegal);Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)

Forwards: Brahim Díaz (Morocco);Victor Osimhen (Nigeria); Sadio Mané (Senegal)

Real Madrid have confirmed the inclusion of Kylian Mbappe in their squad for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Manchester City, despite the French international being a doubt due to injury concerns.
The 26-year-old missed the club’s open training session on Tuesday, with reports in Spain suggesting he has a fractured finger.
He is also reportedly managing a knee issue, but his presence would be a major boost for head coach Xabi Alonso.
Going into this clash versus Pep’s Manchester City, Xabi Alonso’s future at Real Madrid has come under intense scrutiny after the team won just one of their last five La Liga matches, including an embarrassing 2-0 loss at home to Celta Vigo.
Recent forms and predictions have described Alonso’s chances of survival as “slim,” warning that a defeat to City at the Bernabeu on Wednesday could mark the end of his tenure, which began only this summer.
Mbappe has scored 25 goals across La Liga and the Champions League this season, but he went goalless as Real Madrid suffered defeat on Sunday.
Should he fail to start the match or even replicate his form, Xabi Alonso will be banking on the best of Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham and others.

Following his outstanding performance in Wednesday’s 3-0thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, Atalanta have reportedly scrapped plans to sell Ademola Lookman in the upcoming January Transfer Window.
Raffaele Palladino secured his first win as Atalanta manager, as his side earned a 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in MD5 of the Champions League.
La Dea sealed the all three points in a frantic five-minute period, as the Italian side scored three goals between the 60th and 65th minute.
This victory saw Atalanta move up to 10th in the UCL table, but the main takeaway was the performance from Lookman as the Nigerian registered two goal contributions. He opened the scoring after 60 minutes and was involved in the action again just two-minutes later – providing the assist for Ederson.
According to news making the rounds in the Italian media, Lookman’s eye catching performance has forced Atalanta to rule out the sale of the 28-year-old striker who is contracted to the Serie A side until 2027.
Accordingly, coach Palladino who seems to have revived the confidence of the former African Footballer of the Year after torrid time following his botched transfer in the summer , is said would soon offer him an improved deal to keep him at the Bergamo-based side.
Incidentally, Lookman would welcome such development following his posturing after Wednesday’s heroics for Atalanta.
“You know, what’s happened has happened. A lot’s gone on. Some things people know, others they don’t,” Lookman reportedly told Sky Sport Italia . “Right now is the time to work hard for the team and we need to win games, that’s the most important thing, to get stronger every day. That is what I am concentrated on and so is the team, working together every day to get results.”
“I think it’s important right now to get the victory, as 3-0 away from home is a really good result,” Lookman added.