The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco continues to underline its exceptional status, with the tournament reaching a rare level of quality and star power as it heads into the semi-finals.
What truly sets this stage apart is the remarkable presence of five African Player of the Year winners competing in the semi-finals. Achraf Hakimi, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah will all feature in the last four, marking a rare convergence of elite individual talent on one continental stage.
Collectively, the quintet has claimed seven African Golden Ball awards, with Mané and Salah each winning the honour twice.
Beyond the individual accolades, AFCON 2025 is also making history through its attacking output. The tournament has already produced 119 goals, matching the record set at the previous edition in Ivory Coast. This scoring surge reflects the high technical standards on display, the attacking ambition of the teams and the growing tactical confidence across the continent.
The four semi-finalists themselves embody the heritage and excellence of African football. Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria and Egypt have all lifted the AFCON trophy in the past, made their mark on the global stage and produced generations of iconic players. Their convergence at this stage of the tournament represents both the rich history and the evolving future of the African game, giving the 2025 edition a special competitive and symbolic value.
