The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has already rewritten the tournament’s history, becoming the highest-scoring edition ever with 120 goals recorded before Sunday’s final.
This surpasses the previous record of 102 goals set at the 2019 edition in Egypt, highlighting the attacking ambition, technical quality, and confidence displayed by African teams throughout the competition.
Top scorers leading the charge
Several of the continent’s top sides have contributed heavily to the goal surge. Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire showcased depth and firepower, while emerging talents matched established stars in influence.
Brahim Diaz of Morocco leads the scoring charts with five goals, closely followed by Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, both on four. With the third-place playoff and the final still to be played, the race for the Golden Boot remains open.
Tactical evolution fuels scoring
AFCON 2025 has seen coaches embrace bolder, more expansive tactics, allowing forwards to thrive in attacking systems.
Thrilling comebacks, late winners, and end-to-end encounters became a familiar feature, keeping fans on the edge of their seats from group stages through to the knockout rounds.
The expansion to 24 teams has added depth without diluting quality, proving that larger tournaments can still deliver high-scoring, entertaining football.
The 120-goal milestone reflects more than just numbers. It signals a new era in African football, with players increasingly versatile, technically assured, and physically prepared.
Teams are showing a willingness to play proactively, prioritizing creativity and attack over caution. Morocco’s stadiums, alive with colour, noise, and energy, provided the perfect backdrop for the tournament’s goal-filled spectacle.
