The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) has so far lived up to the expectation of producing exciting drama, stunning performances and the revival story that only football offers.
Morocco is at the center of it; providing nothing short of world class facilities, for some of the world’s best players to deliver.
So far, there has yet to be any outcome on the pitch, such that defies the law: the strongest and adaptable have survived three rounds of matches.
However, now we’ve been ushered into the business end where the favorites must prove their worth and darkhorse stake their claim.
AFCON 2025: Road to Quarter-Finals
Eleven former champions made it through to the last 16 and among them are the outright pre-tournament favorites.
Nigeria and Algeria went 3-0 respectively, the 2023 finalists and 2019 champions were the only group winners to complete a sweep.
Morocco failed to pick maximum points as well as Senegal despite of their quality and experienced squads.
Semifinalists from the last edition all made it through to the R16 either as group winners or runner’s up and only one lost a game – South Africa.
The brackets for these knockout games couldn’t have been scripted differently; mouthwatering clashes awaits ahead many of which shall leave tongues waging.
After a two-day rest period following the conclusion of all group stage matches, action will resume today and CAF heralded it by releasing the best performers so far.
The likes of
- Morocco,
- Senegal,
- Ivory Coast,
- Egypt,
- Cameroon,
- Nigeria
all had outliers who make up the best XI.
For the stattos, 87 goals were scored in the 36 group stage matches at AFCON 2025 – the highest average (2.42 per game) at a single AFCON edition since 2010 (2.45 per game 71/29).
In addition, Nigeria scored the most goals (8) in the round- five more than they managed in 2023.
The numbers speak to an evident shift in the defensive minded style, prevalent at international level in Africa to more progressive football.
And it thus leave a lot to the imagination how much more records will be set or broken when the knockout rounds take center stage.
AFCON 2025: Nigeria’s Path to the Finals
For the Super Eagles of Nigeria their path to a 4th title sees Mozambique posing a challenge, Egypt will face Benin Republic while Algeria takes on DR Congo.
The more edge-of the -seat fixtures will saw South Africa lose to Cameroun, which means the team have been eliminated from the competition on Sunday.
With the tournament now heating up, there’s only more anticipation on the path of fans to see which teams will be the last ones standing.
