The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has written its name into history books after becoming the highest-scoring edition of the tournament so far, with a remarkable 120 goals already recorded even before the final and third-place matches are played.
In a statement released on Friday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that the total surpasses the previous record of 102 goals set during the 2019 AFCON in Egypt. According to CAF, the achievement highlights the attacking flair, technical excellence, and growing confidence of teams across the continent.
Several top sides played key roles in the goal explosion, with Senegal, Nigeria, Morocco, and Côte d’Ivoire leading the charge. The tournament has also seen emerging talents rise to prominence, matching the influence of established stars and contributing to the competition’s exciting narrative.
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz currently tops the scoring chart with five goals, while Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen are close behind on four goals each. With both Salah and Osimhen set to feature in the third-place playoff, the race for the Golden Boot remains wide open.
CAF noted that with two matches still to be played, the goal tally could increase further, describing the tournament as one that has consistently delivered drama, entertainment, and high-quality football.
The governing body explained that the trend toward high-scoring matches was evident from the early stages, as coaches adopted more adventurous tactics and attackers thrived in open, attacking systems. CAF also attributed the scoring surge to the 24-team format, which has showcased the growing depth and competitiveness of African football.
The previous record from Egypt 2019 was broken even before the tournament reached its decisive stage, with the knockout rounds maintaining the same attacking momentum. According to CAF, the pressure of the later rounds did little to limit creativity or ambition on the pitch.
Matches across Morocco’s various host cities have attracted large crowds, with CAF describing stadiums as vibrant, colourful, and energetic throughout the competition.
As AFCON 2025 draws closer to its conclusion, CAF said the historic 120-goal milestone reflects broader progress in African football, pointing to clear improvements in tactical flexibility, physical conditioning, and technical quality among players and teams.
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