Nigeria’s Calvin Bassey and Stanley Nwabali have been selected in the Best XI for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, recognising their outstanding performances during the tournament’s high-stakes stages.
Bassey, the Fulham centre-back, was named among the standout defenders after leading Nigeria’s rearguard with consistent, commanding displays — particularly in the semi-final stalemate against hosts Morocco, where his leadership helped keep a clean sheet through 120 minutes. He earned a high rating (8.1) for his efforts.
Chippa United goalkeeper Nwabali was also included in the Best XI after a string of superb saves in the semi-final, where he was credited with notable interventions that kept the game level and helped force a penalty shootout. He was rated 9.0 by statistics platform SofaScore for that match.
Despite Nigeria’s penalty-shootout loss to Morocco, Bassey and Nwabali’s inclusion highlights their influence and defensive strength throughout AFCON 2025, underscoring the calibre of Nigerian talent on the continental stage.
EDITORIAL
Football at the highest level is as inexorably shaped by those who prevent goals as it is by those who score them. In the rugged drama of AFCON 2025, the inclusion of Calvin Bassey and Stanley Nwabali in the tournament’s Best XI is testament not merely to individual excellence, but to their pivotal role in Nigeria’s resilient journey through a competition that tested every sinew of tactical nous and collective spirit.
Bassey’s performances were emblematic of a defender at his peak — resolute, composed and unafraid of confrontation. In a semi-final against a Morocco side brimming with attacking talent, his capacity to read the game, snuff out danger and marshal the backline allowed the Super Eagles to remain emphatically in contention. Such defensive leadership does not merely prevent goals; it inspires confidence and structure in the side as a whole.
Equally, Nwabali’s recognition reflects a goalkeeper who thrives under pressure. In matches where the margin of error was infinitesimal, his shot-stopping and steadiness under siege were more than technical feats — they were psychological anchors. The ability to retain composure in the moment and influence the trajectory of games speaks to character as much as skill.
Their inclusion among the tournament’s elite underscores a broader narrative that Nigeria’s footballing identity, while often celebrated for flair and attacking verve, is equally grounded in defensive solidarity and resolve. In recognizing Bassey and Nwabali, AFCON 2025 Best XI honours not just performance, but maturity a maturity that bodes well for Nigerian football’s future on the continental stage.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Calvin Bassey was also named in the pre-tournament AFCON 2025 Best XI by CBS Sports Golazo, reflecting expectations of his impact even before the tournament began.
- Bassey played every minute for Nigeria at AFCON 2025 until his suspension, missing the third-place playoff due to a second yellow card in the semi-final.
- Nwabali’s Best XI inclusion followed an 9.0 SofaScore rating for his semi-final performance against Morocco — one of the highest individual match ratings of the tournament.
- Nigeria kept three consecutive clean sheets at AFCON 2025, with Bassey and Nwabali central to that defensive stability.
- Three Super Eagles defenders were also recognised in other AFCON 2025 Best XI lists, with Bassey and teammate Semi Ajayi featuring in Group C matchday selections earlier in the competition.
