South Africa's coach wants Iwobi in AFCON Best XI, but Senegal's Gueye got the spot
Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Sudesh Singh has said he wished Alex Iwobi was selected in the 2025 CAF AFCON Best XI, joining his three Super Eagles teammates—Calvin Bassey, Victor Osimhen, and Ademola Lookman. CAF unveiled the Best XI earlier this week, and while Iwobi was left out, Senegal's Pape Gueye secured the midfield spot. The lineup also includes Senegal's Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Moussa Niakhaté, Noussair Mazraoui, Idrissa Gueye, Brahim Díaz, and Sadio Mane.
Speaking on SuperSport, Singh explained his position: “I would’ve loved to see Iwobi, but then who do you replace him with in that lineup that they had? Pape Gueye, with age on his side, he was still outstanding in the tournament. With the leadership he showed and the goals he scored, I think it was very fair. Calvin Bassey was outstanding as well.” The analysis highlights the competitive nature of AFCON selections, where established stars like Iwobi face stiff competition for limited spots.
This discussion offers a glimpse into post-tournament debates on player recognition. For fans, it’s a reminder that individual brilliance sometimes gets overshadowed by team dynamics and tournament narratives. With the 2025 AFCON now in the books, Nigerian football enthusiasts can reflect on how their stars performed and where they stood in continental eyes—does individual consistency outweigh tournament peak moments for Best XI selections?