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Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been rewarded for their solid group stage performances at the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, with captain Daniel Bameyi and defender Odinaka Okoro named in the tournament’s official Group Stage Best XI, Footynaija.com reports.
The pair were pivotal figures in a well-organised Nigerian defence that conceded just two goals across three tightly contested group games, helping the team secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Bameyi’s leadership at the back provided composure and tactical structure, while Okoro caught the eye with his speed, precision tackling, and astute positioning.
Who better to break it down?
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 10, 2025
Daniel Amokachi walks you through all the group stage drama. #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 pic.twitter.com/gxAk0wySCY
Elsewhere in the team, Sierra Leone’s Momoh Kamara was named both Best Player and Top Scorer of the group phase after netting four goals. Kamara also takes up a midfield berth in the Best XI, having inspired his nation to a historic quarter-final place in their debut U-20 AFCON campaign.
Ghana’s Dacosta Antwi and Sierra Leone’s Nathaniel Jalloh joined Bameyi and Okoro in defence, while Zambia’s Levison Banda, who was voted Best Goalkeeper, earned the No.1 jersey. South Africa’s Lazola Maku and Kenya’s Kevin Wangaya completed the midfield trio.
Up front, Morocco’s Othmane Maamma, Zambia’s Joseph Sabobo, and DR Congo’s Samuel Ntanda-Lukisa were selected, with Morocco’s Mohamed Ouahbi named Best Coach for guiding his depleted squad to an unbeaten group stage. Ghana also received the Fair Play Award.
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 11, 2025
Nigeria now prepare for a heavyweight quarter-final clash against defending champions Senegal on Monday. With Okoro and Bameyi in fine form, the Flying Eagles will be confident of progressing to the semi-finals—and securing a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
CAF U20 AFCON Egypt 2025 – Group Stage Best XI (1-4-2-3-1):
Goalkeeper:
Levison Banda – Zambia
Defenders:
2. Nathaniel Jalloh – Sierra Leone
3. Odinaka Okoro – Nigeria
4. Daniel Bameyi – Nigeria
5. Dacosta Antwi – Ghana
Midfielders:
6. Kevin Wangaya – Kenya
7. Lazola Maku – South Africa
8. Momoh Kamara – Sierra Leone
Forwards:
9. Joseph Sabobo – Zambia
10. Othmane Maamma – Morocco
11. Samuel Ntanda-Lukisa – DR Congo
Individual Awards (Group Stage):
Best Player: Momoh Kamara (Sierra Leone)
Best Goalkeeper: Levison Banda (Zambia)
Top Scorer: Momoh Kamara (4 goals, Sierra Leone)
Best Coach: Mohamed Ouahbi (Morocco)
Fair Play Team: Ghana
