The 2025 AFCON tournament kicked off in Morocco on the 21st of December 2025 and delivered plenty of excitements across the three match-days during the group stage.
Several superstars lived up to their reputations with inspiring performances for their respective countries, while some others struggled to impact matches during the group phase.
- Check this: Standout XI after AFCON 2025 group stage
As teams fought for supremacy over 10 action-packed days in Morocco, SportPremi highlights some of the key moments and takeaways from the first round of the tournament.
First goal of the tournament: Brahim Diaz (Morocco)
Morocco and Comoros faced off in the opening match of the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament on the 21st of December, 2025.
After a goalless first half, the home side broke the deadlock early in the second half through Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz.
The 26-year-old lashed onto a pass from Noussair Mazraoui before firing into the back of the net to open the floodgates for the tournament, before substitute Ayoub El Kaabi added a second to seal a 2-0 win.
First red card of the tournament: Salah Adel (Sudan)
Sudan midfielder Salah Adel became the first player to be sent off at the African Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco, when he received a red card in the 39th minute of their 3-0 defeat to Algeria on match-day one.
Highest-scoring team of the group stage: Nigeria (8 goals)
Nigeria were one of the most impressive countries during the group stage of the AFCON after winning every of their match in Group C.
The Super Eagles scored eight times in total – 2 in their opening match against Tanzania and 3 in wins over Tunisia and Uganda respectively.
Teams with 100% record so far: Nigeria and Algeria (3 wins each)
Only two countries finished the group stage at the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament with a perfect record – Nigeria in Group C and Algeria in Group E.
The Super Eagles eased to top of group C with impressive wins over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, while the Desert Warriors also dominated their group, defeating the likes of Sudan, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.
Interestingly, both countries could face-off in the quarterfinals, should they progress past the round of 16 of the competition.
