Three key players from the Nigerian national team have earned prestigious spots in the official Best XI of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal round. The selections come on the heels of the Super Eagles' commanding 2-0 victory over Algeria, which secured their place in the tournament's semifinals.
Super Eagles Trio Shine in Quarterfinal Triumph
The standout performer was undoubtedly Victor Osimhen, who was named Man of the Match for his exceptional display against the Desert Foxes. Osimhen was instrumental in the win, scoring a crucial goal and providing an assist to propel Nigeria forward. His overall performance earned him a high rating of 8.2 from statistical analysts Sofascore, as reported by Score Nigeria.
He was not alone in receiving accolades. Defender Bruno Onyemaechi played a pivotal role in shutting down Algeria's attack, notably keeping their danger man Riyad Mahrez quiet throughout the match. Onyemaechi also provided the assist for Osimhen's goal, matching the striker's rating of 8.2.
Completing the Nigerian contingent in the Best XI is Bright Osayi-Samuel. The Birmingham City star was a rock in defence, contributing significantly to Nigeria's second clean sheet of the tournament and also receiving a rating of 8.2 for his efforts.
Composition of the Elite Quarterfinal Team
The Best XI features a blend of talent from the continent's top nations. In defence, Onyemaechi and Osayi-Samuel are joined by Morocco’s Adam Masina and Egypt’s Ramy Rabia. The midfield is dominated by Egyptian stars, with Mohamed Salah, Emam Ashour, and Hamdy Fathy operating alongside Morocco's Abde Ezzalzouli.
In attack, Victor Osimhen is partnered by Egypt and Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush. Notably, some top performers were omitted, including Nigeria's goal-scorer Akor Adams and midfield orchestrator Alex Iwobi. Other notable exclusions were Morocco’s Brahim Diaz and the Senegal duo of Sadio Mane and Iliman Ndiaye.
Lookman Leads MVP Race Amid Algerian Protest
Beyond the quarterfinal team, the race for the tournament's Most Valuable Player is heating up. According to Sofascore ratings, Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman is currently in the lead with an impressive 8.45 points. The Atalanta star has three goals and four assists in four matches, placing him ahead of competitors like Mo Salah and Amad Diallo.
The aftermath of the Nigeria-Algeria clash has not been without controversy. The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has announced its intention to lodge a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). They allege poor officiating and several questionable decisions that they believe favoured the Super Eagles during the quarterfinal. The match ended with heated exchanges, as Algerian players surrounded referee Issa Sy and his assistants to contest the decisions.
The Super Eagles, bolstered by this recognition, now turn their focus to the semifinal, where they will aim to continue their strong run in AFCON 2025.
