‘Nwabali deserved to be there’ — Ex Coach unhappy with CAF's AFCON 2025 Best XI

The omission of Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi and Stanley Nwabali from CAF’s AFCON 2025 Best XI has sparked strong debate among football analysts.

The CAF Technical Study Group unveiled the Team of the Tournament shortly after the finals in Morocco, leaving out the Nigerian duo despite impressive performances.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Sudesh Singh defended CAF’s choices, insisting the overall balance of the team was justified.

He said: "I think when you look at the performance of all the players, it was very fair. I would have loved to see Iwobi, but then who do you replace in that lineup that they had? Pape Gueye, with age on his side, but he still was outstanding in this tournament.

"With the leadership he showed and the goals he scored, I think it was very fair. Calvin Bassey was outstanding as well."

Despite Iwobi registering two assists, many felt his influence in Nigeria’s build-up play and overall midfield control was underappreciated by the technical panel.

The biggest controversy surrounded the goalkeeper position, with former TS Galaxy FC team manager Ashley Nakazwe backing Nwabali over Morocco’s Yassine Bounou.

Speaking candidly, Nakazwe said: "Nwabali could have been there, he deserves to be there, he's a great goalkeeper."

While Bounou kept five clean sheets, Nwabali stayed unbeaten through the knockout stages and made eight saves, just two fewer than the Moroccan.

He also won Man of the Match after inspiring Nigeria to a penalty shootout victory over Egypt in the third-place playoff, strengthening calls for his inclusion.