The first chapter of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has delivered goals, colour and plenty of talking points, as the group stage came to a close with 87 goals scored across 36 matches and eight teams sent home.
With the tournament now moving into the knockout phase, 16 games remain before a new African champion is crowned on 18 January. The Round of 16 begins on Saturday, and the sense is that the competition is only just getting started.
Across the opening weeks, several players have stood out, some expected, others emerging, shaping the narrative of a tournament being staged on Moroccan soil.
For the hosts, Ibrahim Diaz has been impossible to ignore. The Real Madrid midfielder has quickly become the face of Morocco’s campaign, scoring in all three group matches and buzzing relentlessly around opposition defences. At 26, Diaz has combined end product with intensity, pressing defenders into mistakes and creating chances as often as he finishes them. If Morocco are to lift the trophy at home, his form could prove decisive.
Another Moroccan who has caught the eye is Ayoub El Kaabi. Known for his spectacular overhead kicks at club level with Olympiakos, the 32-year-old striker carried that flair into the tournament. Not first choice at the start, El Kaabi seized his chance and now sits joint-top of the scoring charts with three goals, alongside Diaz and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez. As the knockout rounds loom, his timing could not be better.
Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza has been one of the breakout talents of the group stage. The 20-year-old Bayer Leverkusen player, who switched allegiance to Algeria after representing Germany at youth level, has already won over supporters with his energy, intelligence and direct running. His goal against Equatorial Guinea in the final round of group games was greeted with a roar that suggested a new favourite has arrived.
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen remains, as ever, a study in contrast. The 27-year-old can frustrate with missed chances, but his influence goes far beyond goals. His physical presence occupies defenders and creates space for others, notably Ademola Lookman, to flourish. Few doubt that if Osimhen catches fire, he has the power to drive the Super Eagles deep into the tournament.
And then there is Sadio Mané. At 33, and playing in his sixth Africa Cup of Nations, there were suggestions that Senegal’s new generation might eclipse their talisman. Instead, Mané has reminded everyone of his enduring value. His bursts down the left flank continue to energise the Lions of Teranga, offering leadership and inspiration in equal measure.
As the knockout rounds begin, the margins will tighten and the pressure will rise. But if the group stage is any indication, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations still has many more stories and heroes to reveal.
