Nigeria have appeared as genuine title contenders by establishing themselves as the tournament’s most productive attacking side, while Riyad Mahrez has emerged as the early scoring leader at the ongoing 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
As AFCON 2025 heads into its final day of group matches, the numbers provide context rather than closure.
The statistics are beginning to tell a compelling story, one of elite forwards delivering, dominant teams asserting control, and others struggling to keep pace with the demands of Africa’s biggest football stage.
Riyad Mahrez Leads the Golden Boot Race
Algeria captain, Riyad Mahrez currently sits atop the scoring chart with three goals, as one of the continent’s most decisive performers.
His sharp finishing and leadership have powered Algeria to maximum points from their opening two matches.
He has placed the Desert Foxes firmly among the early qualifiers for the knockout phase and strengthening their credentials as a serious contender for the title.
Tight Chasing Pack on Two Goals
Behind Mahrez, the race for goals is tightly contested, with a cluster of players on two goals each, reflecting the tournament’s wide spread of attacking influence.
Among those making decisive impacts are:
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Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
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Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
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Brahim Díaz (Morocco)
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Elias Achouri (Tunisia)
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Lassine Sinayoko (Mali)
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Amad Diallo (Côte d’Ivoire)
The diversity of nations is present in this group as the competitive balance and attacking quality is on display across AFCON 2025.
Nigeria Set the Attacking Standard
While individual brilliance has stood out, Nigeria’s collective attacking output has been the most impressive of the tournament so far.
The Super Eagles lead all teams with:
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Five goals scored
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12 shots on target
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An average of 61% possession, the highest recorded at the tournament
That dominance has translated into tangible success, with Nigeria joining Algeria and Egypt as the only teams to secure Round of 16 qualification after two matches.
Creatively, Nigeria have been equally efficient. Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi have each recorded two assists, placing them level with Tunisia’s Hannibal Mejbri among the tournament’s leading creators.
Goals Flow, Balance Holds
Across the tournament so far, 53 goals have been scored in 24 matches, producing an average of 2.21 goals per game.
The figure reflects a healthy balance between attacking ambition and tactical discipline, an equilibrium that has long defined AFCON football.
Nigeria’s numbers, in particular, illustrate how possession, creativity and efficiency can align to produce results at the highest level.
Struggles at the Other End: Botswana’s Difficult Campaign
At the opposite extreme, Botswana’s tournament has been a stark reminder of AFCON’s unforgiving margins.
Their numbers paint a difficult picture:
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Four goals conceded
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Zero goals scored
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Only three shots on target
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An average of 32% possession
Those figures gulfs between teams competing for knockout places and those fighting simply to stay afloat in a demanding tournament environment.
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Discipline Becoming a Deciding Factor
Physical intensity has also been a defining theme. Referees have issued 83 yellow cards and three red cards across the group stage so far, as a result of tactical pressure as qualification scenarios tighten.
With suspensions looming, discipline could yet play a decisive role in determining final group standings and knockout-round availability.
All to Play for as Group Stage Nears Conclusion
Some teams have already secured safe passage, while others remain locked in tense battles for automatic qualification or places among the best third-placed finishers.
