With two of their talents included in the official CAF Group Stage Best XI and head coach Eric Chelle acknowledged as the team’s manager, the Nigerian Super Eagles have left their mark on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Franco-Malian strategist was selected to lead the AFCON Best XI after leading the Super Eagles to a perfect record in Group C.
Nigeria emerged as one of the most convincing and balanced teams throughout the group stage, demonstrating the quick influence of Chelle’s coaching philosophy.
Ademola Lookman is a key member of Nigeria’s lineup. With a string of confident performances, the Atalanta star has drawn attention. In the group stage, he scored twice and set up two more goals, directly contributing to four goals.
Egypt’s Mohamed El Shenawy, who is in goal, is part of the complete Best XI. Noussair Mazraoui and Abdi lead the defense as full-backs, while Edmond Tapsoba and Axel Tuanzebe complete the four-man wall in the center.
The top eleven of AFCON 2025
Carlos Baleba is in charge of the midfield, while Lookman and Brahim Diaz of Morocco supply the inventiveness and control higher up the field. After a strong group-stage performance, Amad Diallo leads the line, with Sadio Mané on the left and Riyad Mahrez on the right.
Building on previous victories in 1980, 1994, and 2013, Chelle and the Super Eagles are committed to winning Nigeria’s fourth AFCON championship as the competition moves toward the knockout stages.
On Monday, January 5, at 8 p.m., Nigeria will play Mozambique in the round of 16.
