By Kunle Solaja, Fes

The race for the Golden Boot at the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 is finely poised as the Round of 16 gets beyond its halfway mark.

Goals have been flowing with Nigeria scoring 12 to paint the picture of the tournament’s most potent attack.

But in the individual goal race, no clear runaway leader has yet emerged.

As of Monday night, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz sits alone at the summit of the scoring chart with four goals from four matches. Díaz’s consistency has been central to Morocco’s strong campaign, combining creativity with ruthless finishing.

Close behind is a tightly packed chasing group on three goals. Nigeria boast two names among the contenders, with Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen both on three goals after just three appearances.

Lookman’s flair and Osimhen’s predatory instincts have powered the Super Eagles’ attacking surge, including the tournament’s most emphatic win so far.

Morocco’s attacking depth is further reflected by Ayoub El Kaabi, also on three goals, while Mali’s Lassine Sinayoko has matched that tally in four matches, proving decisive for the Eagles of Mali.

Africa’s established stars remain firmly in the picture. Egypt captain Mohamed Salah has struck three times in three matches, while Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez reached the same mark in just two appearances, highlighting his efficiency in front of goal.

The list of players on two goals is equally impressive and diverse, reflecting the tournament’s attacking spread. Cameroon’s Christian Kofane, Senegal duo Pape Gueye and Chérif Ndiaye, and DR Congo’s Gaël Kakuta have all delivered crucial contributions in limited outings.

Nigeria’s midfield has also made its mark, with Raphael Onyedika remarkably netting twice in a single appearance, while South Africa’s Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis have each scored twice in four matches.

Further names on two goals include Tunisia’s Elias Achouri, Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza, Côte d’Ivoire winger Amad Diallo, and Mozambique’s Geny Catamo.

With the quarter-finals approaching and margins tightening, the scoring race is expected to intensify. As teams are eliminated and pressure mounts, efficiency in front of goal could prove decisive — not only in deciding the destination of the AFCON trophy, but also in crowning the tournament’s most lethal marksman.

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By Kunle Solaja, Fes

Nigeria recorded the highest scoreline and widest winning margin of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations after a commanding 4–0 demolition of Mozambique on Monday night, a result that echoed the Super Eagles’ recent 4–0 thrashing of the Benin Republic in an October international.

In a Round of 16 contest that underlined Nigeria’s growing authority in Morocco, Nigeria national football team delivered a performance of rare control and ruthlessness.

Ademola Lookman was the architect-in-chief, scoring once and supplying three assists, while Victor Osimhen struck twice to take the Super Eagles emphatically into the quarter-finals. Akor Adams completed the rout with a superb late finish.

The four-goal margin now stands as the biggest win recorded at the tournament so far — and it could have been far heavier. Nigeria created chance after chance, carving open the Mozambique defence with pace, movement and precision, but were guilty of wastefulness in front of goal.

Mozambique, appearing in the knockout rounds for the first time in their history, were quickly overwhelmed by Nigeria’s intensity and athleticism. The warning signs came as early as the second minute when Osimhen swept the ball into the net from Frank Onyeka’s cross, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute. Lookman ghosted into the box and calmly side-footed home from Adams’ pull-back to open the scoring. Five minutes later, the winger again tormented the Mozambique back line, driving a low ball across goal for Osimhen to tap in at the back post.

Nigeria resumed after the interval with the same purpose. Just two minutes into the second half, Lookman benefited from a fortunate rebound before squaring once more for Osimhen, who finished ahead of the scrambling defence to make it 3–0.

The pick of the goals arrived in the 75th minute. Released by Lookman, Adams struck a ferocious shot from a tight angle that flew past the goalkeeper to crown Nigeria’s most emphatic display of the competition.

Both Lookman and Osimhen — former African Footballers of the Year — now have three goals apiece at the tournament, underlining Nigeria’s attacking depth and balance.

Mozambique’s only meaningful opening came in the 24th minute when Geny Catamo threaded a pass through for Faizal Bangal, but the danger was swiftly snuffed out by a well-organised Nigerian defence.

Nigeria now move on to Marrakech, where they will face either Algeria national football team or the DR Congo national football team on Saturday, carrying momentum — and the tournament’s most emphatic scoreline — into the quarter-finals.

For Mozambique, the heavy defeat ended a historic campaign that had already delivered a landmark moment: their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations knockout appearance, achieved after a dramatic 3–2 group-stage win over Gabon as one of the four best third-placed teams.

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Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi has been ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations due to a leg injury, the Moroccan FA said on Monday.

Morocco secured their place in the quarter-finals after beating Tanzania 1-0 on Sunday, thanks to a goal from Brahim Diaz, who celebrated by lifting a shirt bearing Ounahi’s name.

“Medical tests confirmed that Azzedine Ounahi has suffered a muscle injury in his leg. It was officially announced that he will miss the competition,” Moroccan FA said in a statement.

The 25-year-old Girona midfielder, who appeared on crutches while watching the round of 16 game, will remain with Walid Regragui’s side “to support his teammates throughout the rest of the Africa Cup of Nations”.

Hosts Morocco face five-time champions Cameroon on Friday for a place in the semi-finals.

-Reuters

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