By Daily Sports Nigeria on January 9, 2026

•Osimhen, Adams, Ndidi in top 5

Four Super Eagles players have been ranked in the top five of the highest-rated players at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations ahead of Friday and Saturday’s quarter-final clashes, with Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman topping the list, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Lookman has been pivotal for Nigeria, scoring three goals and providing four assists in four games to ensure the Super Eagles are through to the final eight.

According to WhoScored, Lookman is the highest-rated player at the AFCON with a rating of 8.81. The 27-year-old Atalanta forward is followed in second position by Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah with a rating of 8.13.

Senegalese forward Sadio Mané is ranked third with a rating of 7.82, followed by Victor Osimhen in fourth on 7.61, while Akor Adams and Wilfred Ndidi are joint fifth with a rating of 7.59.

Ivorian winger Yan Diomande, with a rating of 7.58, occupies the seventh position, while Riyad Mahrez, Amad Diallo, and Brahim Diaz complete the top ten with ratings of 7.55, 7.54, and 7.54, respectively.

Lookman’s performances have contributed to the Super Eagles winning all four of their games at the tournament, scoring 12 goals since the start of the competition in Morocco in December.

The former Leicester City winger was named Man of the Match in Nigeria’s 4-0 demolition of Mozambique in the round of 16 on Monday, where he scored once and provided two assists. He also earned a place in the CAF Group Stage Best XI.

Osimhen has scored three goals at the tournament, including a brace against Mozambique, while Adams got his first AFCON goal in the same match while also providing two assists. Ndidi has been instrumental in Nigeria’s midfield, providing defensive stability and contributing to the team’s dominance.

Head coach Eric Chelle was named the best coach of the group stage after overseeing a side that combined tactical discipline with attacking fluency.

Ahead of their quarter-final clash against Algeria at the Marrakech Stadium, the Super Eagles will be keen for the players to continue their fine form to secure a positive result when they face the Desert Foxes at 5pm.

Nigeria and Algeria last met at the AFCON in the semi-finals of the 2019 edition, when the Desert Foxes beat the Super Eagles 2-1 courtesy of a dramatic late free kick from Riyad Mahrez. Algeria went on to lift the trophy, claiming their second continental title.

The Super Eagles are chasing their first AFCON title since 2013 and their fourth overall, having previously triumphed in 1980 and 1994.

Source Punch Ng

Posted January 9, 2026

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