The Group Stage XI, released by CAF on Friday, featured Lookman as the only Nigerian player included. The forward was deployed in a three-man midfield alongside Morocco’s Brahim Díaz and Cameroon’s Carlos Baleba, underlining his versatility and influence during the opening phase of the tournament.
Lookman has been one of the standout performers so far, registering two goals and two assists in two matches. He opened his AFCON account with the winning goal against Tanzania in Nigeria’s first fixture, before producing another goal and two assists in a dramatic 3–2 victory over Tunisia.
CAF praised Lookman’s tactical intelligence and adaptability, noting that he operated with the awareness and instincts of a midfielder while maintaining his attacking threat. His direct running, creativity, and movement off the ball were highlighted as key factors that made him difficult for defenders to contain throughout the group stage.
Nigeria’s dominance in the group phase was further acknowledged with the selection of Eric Chelle as the tournament’s best coach at this stage. Chelle guided the Super Eagles to the top of their group with three wins from three matches, overseeing a side that combined defensive solidity with swift attacking transitions.
CAF credited Chelle’s tactical clarity, balanced approach, and consistent team selections for Nigeria’s impressive performances. The governing body noted that his ability to give attacking players freedom while maintaining structure and discipline was one of the defining coaching features of the group stage.
Elsewhere in the CAF selections, Egypt’s Mohamed El Shenawy was named best goalkeeper after a composed and influential group campaign at the age of 36. The defensive line included Noussair Mazraoui and Yahia Attiat-Allah El Abdi of Morocco, Axel Tuanzebe of DR Congo, and Edmond Tapsoba of Burkina Faso.
In attack, Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo led the frontline, supported by Senegal captain Sadio Mané and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez. Diallo scored twice in the group stage, Mané netted once, while Mahrez topped the scoring chart with three goals in two matches.
With the group phase concluded, attention now turns to the knockout rounds, which begin on Saturday in Morocco. Defending champions Senegal face Sudan in Tangier, while Mali and Tunisia meet in Casablanca. Nigeria are scheduled to continue their campaign on Monday, when they take on Mozambique in the round of 16 in Fes.