Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has emerged as the statistically superior individual of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following the conclusion of the group stage in Morocco. Leading data analytics firm WhoScored awarded the 28-year-old an unprecedented tournament-high rating of 8.36, cementing his status as the primary catalyst for the Super Eagles’ perfect start.
Nigeria stands alongside Algeria as the only nations to maintain a flawless 100% win record across the opening three matches, a feat that reflects the team’s tactical efficiency under new leadership.
Lookman’s influence stems from a competition-leading four direct goal involvements. The forward ignited Nigeria’s campaign with a decisive goal and assist in the 2-1 victory over Tanzania, before repeating that same prolific output during the high-stakes 3-2 win against Tunisia. Having already secured passage to the knockout rounds, the technical staff rested Lookman for the final group encounter with Uganda. His consistent excellence earned him a spot in the official CAF Group Stage Best XI released on Friday, January 2, 2026, where he serves as the sole Nigerian representative in the lineup.
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle also received significant continental acclaim, as CAF named him the best coach of the opening round. Chelle’s ability to maximize the potential of a star-studded roster has transformed Nigeria into a devastating transitional force. Beyond Lookman, several other Nigerians feature in the top ten performers list. Samuel Chukwueze ranks third overall with a 7.92 rating after delivering two vital assists against Uganda, while captain Wilfred Ndidi holds sixth place with a score of 7.72. Ndidi’s commanding presence in central midfield notably included his first senior international goal during the match against Tunisia.
The tournament rankings highlight a diverse array of African talent, with Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez (8.02) and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah (7.85) occupying the second and fourth spots, respectively. Other elite performers making the top ten include 20-year-old Algerian prospect Ibrahim Maza, Senegal’s Nicolas Jackson, and Egypt’s veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. As the Super Eagles prepare for their Round of 16 clash against the Mambas of Mozambique this Monday, January 5, the squad looks to maintain this individual and collective momentum in their pursuit of a fourth African title.
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