By Austin Ajayi, Yola
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) delivered one of the most competitive and statistically revealing tournaments in the history of African football, with Nigeria emerging as the competition’s most potent attacking side, according to figures released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Data published by CAFOnline show that AFCON 2025 was characterized by narrow margins, tactical discipline, and high-intensity performances, reflecting the growing sophistication of African football on the global stage.
Senegal emerged as champions after a composed and authoritative campaign, blending efficiency with resilience to claim the continental crown. Morocco finished as runners-up, further consolidating their reputation as one of Africa’s most tactically consistent teams, while Nigeria placed third but dominated several key attacking statistics.
Together, the three teams shaped a fiercely contested tournament whose numbers reveal the depth and evolution of the African game.
Final Standings
Champions: Senegal
Runners-up: Morocco
Third Place: Nigeria
Individual Honours
Outstanding individual performances marked AFCON 2025. Senegal’s Sadio Mané was named Player of the Tournament in recognition of his influence throughout the competition. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz emerged as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, while goalkeeper Yassine Bounou claimed the Best Goalkeeper award after keeping five clean sheets.
Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman topped the assist chart with four assists, earning the Best Playmaker award, while Morocco received the Fair Play Award for exemplary conduct.
Team Performance Highlights
The tournament produced a total of 121 goals, highlighting its attacking intensity. Nigeria led the scoring chart with 14 goals, recorded the highest average possession at 66 per cent, and achieved the longest winning streak with five consecutive victories.
Senegal dominated ball circulation, completing 3,562 passes, winning the most corners (44), and sharing the highest number of clean sheets (five) with Morocco. Both Senegal and Morocco registered the highest number of shots, with 108 attempts each.
Defensively, Morocco, Senegal, Comoros, and DR Congo conceded just two goals apiece, while Mozambique recorded the highest number of goals conceded, with nine. Egypt led the offside statistics with 15 infringements, while Morocco and Mali converted the most penalties, scoring three each.
Discipline and Attendance
A total of 210 yellow cards and nine red cards were issued during the tournament. Senegal recorded the highest number of disciplinary sanctions, receiving 17 yellow cards and one red card.
The largest crowd of the tournament—66,526 spectators—was recorded at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat during the high-profile clash between Senegal and Morocco.
As reflected in CAF’s official data, AFCON 2025 was more than a contest for silverware. It was a clear statement of Africa’s footballing progress, tactically sharper, physically demanding, and increasingly competitive.
The numbers confirm it: African football continues to advance at full speed.
Source: CAFOnline, SportsVillageSquare
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