AFCON 2025 Day One Wrap: Goals, grit and early statements as first round sets the tone
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations began in Morocco with a first round that delivered everything the tournament promised: late drama, moments of individual brilliance, defensive resilience and early signs that no team will be given an easy passage.
Across the opening set of fixtures, 29 goals were scored in 12 matches, underlining the attacking intent on show, while six clean sheets — recorded by Morocco, DR Congo, Senegal, Algeria, Ivory Coast and Cameroon — highlighted the importance of organisation in a competition where margins are already narrow.
Group A: Hosts settle, drama follows
Morocco carried the weight of expectation into the opening match and emerged with a controlled victory. Against a spirited Comoros side, the Atlas Lions showed patience and maturity, weathering early resistance before their quality told.
Comoros, however, left with credit. Well organised and fearless in approach, they competed for long spells and embodied a recurring theme of the first round: teams may lose, but character is non-negotiable at this AFCON.
The group’s other fixture delivered late drama, as Zambia struck in stoppage time to deny Mali victory. Mali’s control and Zambia’s resilience ensured Group A began with tension rather than clarity.
Group B: Fine margins and first statements
In Group B, South Africa secured a rare opening-round victory, edging their contest thanks to a decisive late goal from Lyle Foster. The result rewarded patience and discipline, with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams providing calm authority at the back.
For Angola, defeat came despite a competitive display that suggested they will not be easily dismissed as the group unfolds.
Egypt left it late to claim maximum points after being led by Zimbabwe for most of the game. Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Salah did the job for the record winners.
Group C: Nigeria and Tunisia impress
Nigeria also made a winning start. The Super Eagles relied on composure rather than spectacle, with Ademola Lookman providing the decisive goal to secure three vital points and reinforce Nigeria’s habit of managing early tournament pressure.
Tunisia were equally convincing. Mohamed Elias Achouri struck a brace in a performance that combined efficiency with attacking fluency, immediately placing the Carthage Eagles among the early pace-setters.
Group D: Control and composure
DR Congo opened their campaign with a narrow but disciplined victory, keeping a clean sheet and showing tactical maturity in a tightly contested encounter.
Senegal laid down an early marker with a commanding win, blending control with clinical finishing. Nicolas Jackson scored twice, while Ndiaye got Senegal’s other goal.
Group E: Authority and late drama
Algeria delivered one of the standout performances of the first round, dispatching Sudan with authority. Captain Riyad Mahrez led from the front, scoring twice and dictating the tempo with intelligence and calm.
The group also produced one of the most dramatic finishes, as Burkina Faso overturned a late deficit to claim victory, underlining how quickly momentum can swing in this competition.
Group F: Champions and pragmatism
Defending champions Ivory Coast began their title defence with a narrow but professional win. Amad Diallo scored the match-winner and was named Man of the Match, his sharp movement and composure proving decisive.
Cameroon also started positively, grinding out victory through collective effort. Bryan Mbeumo provided the decisive assist and collected Man of the Match honours, reflecting a performance built on discipline as much as attacking quality.
Stars step forward early
Beyond results, the opening round offered a glimpse of the individuals shaping AFCON 2025.
Mahrez, Jackson and Achouri all struck braces, while Brahim Diaz announced his presence with a goal, Mohamed Salah once again carried Egypt’s attacking threat, supported by the energy and directness of Omar Marmoush. For Mali, Lassine Sinayoko combined a goal with relentless work rate, embodying their competitiveness while 2017 CAF young player of the year, Patson Daka reminded the continent of his predatory insticts.
At the other end of the pitch, Ronwen Williams reminded observers that goalkeeping excellence remains a decisive factor at this level.
A tournament taking shape
After one round, AFCON 2025 already feels finely balanced. Goals have flowed, but clean sheets have carried equal weight. Established contenders have delivered early, yet several teams — including Comoros, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Gabon and Angola — have shown enough belief to suggest surprises are inevitable.
The message from the opening week is clear: quality matters, character matters just as much — and the road to continental glory in Morocco will demand both.