The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has reached its decisive quarter-final stage, with four blockbuster ties set to define the race for continental glory after 44 action-packed matches in Morocco.
Friday’s action sees Mali face 2021 champions Senegal, before hosts Morocco lock horns with Cameroon in a mouthwatering evening clash. On Saturday, Algeria battle Nigeria in a showdown between two of the tournament’s most in-form sides, while Egypt take on Ivory Coast in another heavyweight encounter.
With no room for error, the competition has now reached the business end—and the numbers from the tournament so far underline just how elite this final eight truly is.
Quarter-Final Line-Up Reflects AFCON’s Elite
Unlike recent editions, the 2025 tournament has produced few surprises. All eight teams in the quarter-finals were among the top eight highest-ranked nations in the FIFA World Rankings at the time of the draw.
There have been no unexpected outsiders this time, with Africa’s established powers asserting their dominance. As a result, every quarter-final fixture feels like a final in its own right, making the path to the trophy extremely difficult to predict.
Nigeria Lead the Way in Goalscoring
Nigeria have been the tournament’s most prolific side so far, scoring 12 goals in four matches to top the goalscoring charts. While Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have grabbed the headlines, it has been Alex Iwobi’s creativity in midfield that has driven the Super Eagles’ attacking dominance.
Senegal are the only other side to reach double figures, netting 10 goals, while Mali are the lowest scorers among the quarter-finalists with just three goals in four games.
AFCON 2025 on Course for Record Goals
A total of 109 goals have been scored in 44 matches, averaging 2.48 goals per game. That puts AFCON 2025 on track to surpass the current tournament record of 119 goals, set in 2023.
With eight matches still to be played, just 11 more goals would be enough to establish a new all-time scoring record.
Mali Still Unbeaten—Without a Win
Remarkably, Mali have yet to win a single match at the tournament. They have reached the quarter-finals through four consecutive draws, including a penalty shoot-out victory over Tunisia in the Round of 16.
Coach Tom Saintfiet jokingly suggested afterward that Mali could go on to win the tournament without recording a single win in normal time—an extraordinary scenario that remains mathematically possible.
Brahim Díaz Makes AFCON History for Morocco
Real Madrid star Brahim Díaz etched his name into Moroccan football history by becoming the first player from the country to score in four consecutive AFCON matches, finding the net again in the Round of 16 win over Tanzania.
Díaz is now the highest-scoring Moroccan player in a single AFCON finals and sits just two goals behind all-time top scorer Ahmed Faras (six). Alongside Ayoub El Kaabi, Díaz has been Morocco’s sole source of goals, with no other player scoring for the hosts after four matches.
Ademola Lookman Emerges as Player of the Tournament Contender
Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman has delivered a sensational tournament, registering seven goal contributions in four games. The Atalanta forward has scored three goals and provided four assists, making him one of the standout performers in Morocco.
His partnership with Osimhen has silenced any talk of past friction, with Lookman now firmly in the conversation for Player of the Tournament honours.
Zidane Stands Tall Between the Posts for Algeria
Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane has been virtually unbeatable, going nearly five hours without conceding a goal at AFCON 2025.
The only goal Algeria have allowed came during their 3–1 group-stage win over Equatorial Guinea, when Zidane was rested after qualification had already been secured. While his father, Zinedine Zidane, made his name creating goals, Luca has excelled at keeping them out.
