The group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco has ended with record crowds, surprise qualifiers and only two teams maintaining perfect records ahead of the knockout rounds.
Tournament organisers confirmed that 729,240 spectators attended group-stage matches, surpassing the 643,585 recorded at the 2023 finals in Côte d’Ivoire, underlining the growing popularity of African football.
On the pitch, 87 goals were scored across 36 matches, an average of 2.42 goals per game. Morocco’s Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi, alongside Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez, finished the group stage as joint top scorers with three goals each.
El Kaabi, Diaz and Mahrez. Photo Credit: The Athletic Images
There were notable qualification stories. Sudan reached the Round of 16 without scoring a single goal, with their only victory coming via an own goal against Equatorial Guinea. Mali, meanwhile, progressed from Group A despite failing to win a match, drawing all three of their games.
Only Algeria and Nigeria completed the group stage with a perfect record, winning all three matches to finish on nine points and emerge as early contenders for the title.
Super Eagles of Nigeria. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Several teams saw their campaigns end at the group stage. Angola, Zambia, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Comoros, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Botswana were all eliminated after failing to secure progression to the Round of 16.
Attention will now turn to AFCON 2027, with these nations hoping to return stronger after early exits from the Morocco 2025.
The stakes now rise in the knockout phase, with the tournament winners set to receive $10m in prize money an increase from the $7m awarded at the 2023 edition.
The Round of 16 will be played from Saturday 3 January to Tuesday 6 January, with two matches each day at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT) and 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).
The knockout stage begins in Tangier, where Senegal face Sudan on Saturday. Later that evening, Mali meet Tunisia in Casablanca, as Mali pursue a first continental title and Tunisia look to repeat their 2004 success.
Hosts Morocco return to action on Sunday against Tanzania at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, as they seek a first AFCON crown in 50 years. Morocco topped Group A, while Tanzania qualified as one of the four best third-placed teams from Group C.
Hakimi played his first game for Morocco against Zambia in their last group game. Photo Credit: Morocco FA/X
Later on Sunday, South Africa take on Cameroon at the Al Medina Stadium, with Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos facing the side he led to AFCON glory in 2017.
On Monday, record seven-time champions Egypt face Benin at the Grand Stade d’Agadir, with the Pharaohs attempting to end a title drought that stretches back to 2010.
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Later that night, Nigeria meet Mozambique in Fès, with the Super Eagles among the most impressive teams in the group stage as they aim to improve on their runner-up finish at the 2023 tournament.
The Round of 16 concludes on Tuesday in Rabat, where Algeria play the Democratic Republic of Congo, before defending champions Côte d’Ivoire face Burkina Faso at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
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The quarter-finals will be held on 9 and 10 January, with the final scheduled for 18 January at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.
