Nigeria’s Flying Eagles could have fallen wanting continental glory on the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, however captain Daniel Bameyi has emerged as a shining mild for the West African giants, Soccernet.ng stories.
The 19-year-old Bayelsa United centre-back was the one Nigerian named within the match’s official Greatest XI, as revealed by CAF’s Technical Examine Group (TSG).
Bameyi earned his place after a string of excellent performances that helped Nigeria safe third place within the competitors.
Bameyi featured in each minute of Nigeria’s six matches, anchoring the defence with maturity past his years. Below his management, the Flying Eagles stored three clear sheets and conceded solely three objectives — the most effective defensive data on the match.
Nigeria: Flying Eagles captain Daniel Bameyi named in U-20 AFCON 2025 Greatest XI
Although Nigeria’s assault faltered in Egypt, with no participant contributing greater than a single objective or help, Bameyi’s constant defensive dominance ensured the crew left with a bronze medal and their pleasure intact.
His inclusion within the Greatest XI is a becoming recognition of his affect and potential as one in every of Nigeria’s future stars.
The remainder of the Greatest XI mirrored the match’s general hierarchy. Newly topped champions South Africa dominated with 4 picks, together with standout goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe and defender Tylon Smith.
Lowe stored three clear sheets, together with one within the last towards Morocco, and made a tournament-high 24 saves to earn the Greatest Goalkeeper award.
Tylon Smith was the heartbeat of South Africa’s defence. The 19-year-old’s marketing campaign peaked with an important profitable objective within the semi-final towards Nigeria, cementing his standing because the match’s Greatest Participant and incomes him a spot within the elite XI.
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Runners-up Morocco had been additionally nicely represented, with 4 gamers — Othmane Maamma, Hossam Essadak, Hamza Koutoune and Faycal Zahouani — making the reduce.
Sierra Leone’s Momoh Kamara, who gained the Golden Boot with 4 objectives, additionally made the record. Egypt’s Mohamed Goweily and South Africa’s Neo Rapoo and Lazola Maku rounded out the eleven.
South Africa’s Raymond Mdaka was named Coach of the Event after guiding his facet to their maiden U-20 AFCON title with tactical self-discipline and religion in youth. Morocco, in the meantime, picked up the Honest Play Award for his or her sportsmanship all through the competitors.
Greatest XI of the Event (1-4-2-3-1):
- Fletcher Lowe (South Africa)
- Neo Rapoo (South Africa)
- Mohamed Goweily (Egypt)
- Othmane Maamma (Morocco)
- Daniel Bameyi (Nigeria)
- Lazola Maku (South Africa)
- Hossam Essadak (Morocco)
- Faycal Zahouani (Morocco)
- Hamza Koutoune (Morocco)
- Momoh Kamara (Sierra Leone)
- Tylon Smith (South Africa)
Greatest Participant: Tylon Smith (South Africa)
Prime Scorer: Momoh Kamara (Sierra Leone) – 4 objectives
Greatest Goalkeeper: Fletcher Lowe (South Africa)
Greatest Coach: Raymond Mdaka (South Africa)
Honest Play Award: Morocco
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns right into a ball of ardour when writing about Nigerian soccer and its abilities, whether or not rising stars or established legends, domestically and overseas.
From the deepest corners of the Center East, to the inexperienced fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the wealthy soils of Africa, Imhons is greater than glad, normally with a glass of a tasty drink close by, to seize the essence of the sport, by connecting the dots between tradition, id, and soccer.