Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco's Brahim Díaz leads Cup of Nations 2025 scoring chart
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco’s Brahim Díaz leads Cup of Nations 2025 scoring chart

Brahim Díaz has extended his lead in the Golden Boot race at the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations after scoring in Morocco's 2-0 quarter-final victory over Cameroon.

With this goal, Díaz now has five goals in five matches, marking him as the tournament’s top scorer.

The win secured Morocco’s spot in the semi-finals, following Senegal’s narrow 1-0 victory over Mali. Ismael Saibari also scored for Morocco, but Díaz’s scoring streak makes him the standout player.

Second on the list is Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen after his goal against Algeria in their quarter-final contest at the Grand Stadium in Marrakech on Saturday.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles maintained their strong performance at the 2025 African Cup of Nations by defeating the Desert Warriors of Algeria 2-0, and Victor Osimhen scored the opener.

Behind them, seven players, including Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, Côte d’Ivoire’s Amad Diallo, and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, are tied with three goals each. Many players have two goals, while 61 have scored once, reflecting the competitive nature of the AFCON 2025 tournament.

As the tournament approaches its final stages, Díaz’s skill and timing have set him apart from the rest.

AFCON 2025 Top Scorers 

5 goals

  • Brahim Díaz (Morocco)

4 goals

  • Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

3 goals

  • Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
  • Amad Diallo (Côte d’Ivoire)
  • Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco)
  • Lassine Sinayoko (Mali)
  • Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
  • Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
Briam Diaz instrumental as host Morocco advance to AFCON semifinals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brahim Diaz instrumental as hosts Morocco advance to AFCON semi-final

Morocco enters this quarterfinal matchup after a rollercoaster performance throughout the tournament, knowing that only their best display of resilience and agility will carry them through.

On Friday, they played against Cameroon and started the game strongly. Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari scored goals in each half, which helped Morocco reach the semifinals for the first time since 2004.

The hosts’ triumph against Cameroon came on the heels of Senegal’s earlier win over Mali in Tangier, where the former African champions narrowly secured a 1-0 victory against their opponents.

Díaz has been a key player for Morocco, scoring four goals in the tournament. He scored against Comoros, Mali, and Zambia before starting the scoring in the quarterfinals at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Morocco secured their first AFCON semifinal appearance in 22 years with a second goal from Saibari, assisted by Ezzalzouli’s set-piece.

The team managed the final minutes calmly as the crowd cheered. They now await the winner of the Algeria vs. Nigeria semifinal on January 14 as they pursue their first continental title since 1976.

Senegal edge 10-man Mali to reach AFCON semi-finals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal edge 10-man Mali to reach AFCON semi-finals

Senegal surged into the semi-finals of the Cup of Nations with a thrilling 1-0 victory over their fierce rivals, Mali, in an electric atmosphere at the Tangier Grand Stadium on Friday.

As the quarter-finals approached, Senegal was the outright favourite, although Mali had shown a pragmatic approach throughout the tournament.

In the opening 25 minutes, both teams were eager to take advantage of their half-chances until Iliman Ndiaye found the net in the 28th minute. The goal resulted from a blunder by Mali’s goalkeeper, Diarra, who misjudged a cross and let it slip under minimal pressure, leaving the ball loose in the six-yard box. Ndiaye was quick to pounce and tap it in.

Things took a turn for the worse for Mali just before half-time when Yves Bissouma was shown a red card, further putting his team at a disadvantage.

Despite numerous attempts by Senegal to extend their lead, Djigui Diarra, the goalkeeper for Mali, made some fantastic saves to keep his side in the game. Just like in the match against Tunisia,

Mali was hoping for that one chance to turn things around, while the Teranga Lions stood resilient in their quest to secure the win.

Morocco battles Cameroon in an exciting clash in African football
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco will battle Cameroon in an exciting clash in African football

The second quarter-final match in the AFCON 2025 sees host nation Morocco take on Cameroon, and it promises to be a thrilling contest for a number of reasons at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Cameroon has played against the hosts of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 13 times. They have lost only twice and remain unbeaten in their last six matches in these situations. In knockout rounds, Cameroon has eliminated the host teams five times.

When Morocco last hosted the tournament in 1988, it was Cameroon that claimed the title. It was the tournament’s 16th edition.

Back then, attacking midfielder Cyrille Makanaky scored the only goal at the Casablanca V Stadium to eliminate Morocco. The Indomitable Lions won the 1988 AFCON by defeating Nigeria, with Emmanuel Kundé playing a key role and scoring the only goal.

Will history repeat itself as Morocco seeks to avenge its painful loss from 1988? We’ll find out soon enough – kickoff on Friday, January 9 at 20:00 hrs. 

How do they progress to this stage?

Morocco advanced to the quarter-finals with a narrow 1–0 victory over Tanzania on January 4, thanks to Brahim Diaz’s goal in the 64th minute, assisted by captain Achraf Hakimi.

The Atlas Lions topped Group A with seven points, securing wins against Comoros (2–0) and Zambia (3–0) and a draw with Mali (1–1), finishing with a +5 goal difference.

In contrast, Cameroon progressed after a hard-fought 2–1 win over South Africa on January 5, with goals from Christian Kofane and Junior Tchamadeu, despite Evidence Makgopa’s late strike for South Africa.

Cameroon also collected seven points in the group stage, achieving a 1–0 win over Gabon, a draw with the Ivory Coast, and a 2–1 comeback against Mozambique through strong defensive organisation and quick counter-attacks.

Mali and Senegal set for West Africa AFCON derby
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali and Senegal set for West Africa AFCON derby

The first quarter-final match of the 2025 AFCON features Senegal, the 2021 champions, against Mali, who finished as the 1972 runners.

Both teams from West Africa are unbeaten in the tournament so far. Senegal has scored 10 goals thus far in Morocco, including a 3-1 win over Sudan in the Last-16.

In contrast, Mali has been grinding out results by drawing all three of their group stage matches before eliminating Tunisia with 10 players in their Last-16 match.

Both teams play a physical game, setting up an intense showdown at the Tangier Stadium in this exciting West African Derby. Mali finished third in 2012 and 2013.

In their history, the teams have played against each other 34 times. Mali has won 8 matches, while Senegal has won 14, and they have drawn 10 times. Mali has scored 32 goals, while Senegal has scored 43.

Their first meeting took place in 1963, which Mali won 3-1 in an international friendly on February 23.

Mali’s coach, Tom Saintfiet, is known for being a great strategist. Eliminating Tunisia with 10 men is a tough task. However, out of the eight Nations, so far, only Mali has yet to claim the tournament title, although they did come close as the runners-up in 1972.

9 January – Tangier – Mali – Senegal 5 PM