The dawn of a new era: How the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations became one of the most exciting in history

The tournament in Morocco will be remembered for a long time. It delivered incredible matches and proved that African football has become tactically mature and fully aligned with global trends. The best sports betting site, 1xBet, the official partner of CAF and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, sums up the highlights of an exciting tournament.

Goals Are Back

This edition of the tournament was the highest-scoring since 2012. Over three weeks, teams scored a total of 121 goals, averaging 2.33 goals per game.

The final stages could have raised the bar even higher, but starting from the semi-finals, teams became more cautious. Only two goals were scored across four matches, as the cost of mistakes increased and the pressure of responsibility took its toll. However, the statistics do not diminish the tournament’s appeal. Fans were treated to many brilliant and visually stunning goals, including Ayoub El Kaabi’s spectacular scissor kicks against Zambia and the Comoros.

The Tournament’s Biggest Stars Confirmed Their Status

The list of top scorers at CAN 2025 featured both current stars and African football legends. Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen each scored four goals, while Riyad Mahrez, Ademola Lookman, and Amad Diallo found the net three times.

Several individual award winners also stood out. Best goalkeeper Yassine Bounou conceded just two goals in seven matches—an outstanding achievement. Brahim Díaz finished as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals. Although he missed a penalty at a crucial moment in the final, his overall performance throughout the competition was exceptional.

Legendary forward Sadio Mané was named Player of the Tournament. His two goals and two assists highlighted his influence on Senegal’s play, though they do not fully capture his overall contribution. More importantly, Mané led the Lions of Teranga with determination and composure, guiding them to their second Africa Cup of Nations title in the last three tournaments. His goal in the semi-final secured victory over Egypt, and in the final, he played a crucial leadership role by urging his teammates to remain focused after two controversial refereeing decisions that sparked intense reactions from the coaching staff and fans.

No Surprises Reflect the Tournament’s Growing Status

Journalists described the list of Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finalists as one of the strongest in the tournament’s history. Every team except Mali had participated in the FIFA World Cup finals at least three times, underlining the competition’s rising stature and the strong form of the favourites.

The downside of this strength was the lack of major surprises. While there were memorable moments—such as Burkina Faso’s dramatic comeback against Equatorial Guinea with goals in the 95th and 98th minutes, and Tanzania’s progress to the knockout stage with just two points—there were no shocks on the scale of Zambia’s 2012 triumph or Burkina Faso’s semi-final run in 2022.

Nevertheless, the tournament showcased elite competition. From the quarter-finals onward, no team clearly dominated another, with every match fiercely contested. The event demonstrated how far African football has progressed, establishing itself as a unique and globally competitive product.

Fans can continue to follow future Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the performances of African national teams at the World Cup with the competition’s official partner, 1xBet. Place bets on the achievements of African representatives at the Mundial and support the continent’s top teams.