Arab teams make strong impact in 1st round of AFCON 2025

December 26, 2025 / 8:08 PM

Sharjah 24: The first round of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, which is presently taking place in Morocco, ended with a high scoring rate and a significant Arab presence. The 12 matches produced 29 goals, averaging 2.4 goals per game, with all fixtures ending in wins except for a single draw.

The first round drew to a close with clear attacking intensity and consistent results, as only one match ended level—the 1–1 draw between Mali and Zambia—while the remaining encounters produced outright winners.

Algeria leads Arab victories

Algeria topped the list of Arab teams with the largest win of the round, defeating Sudan 3–0. Hosts Morocco opened their campaign with a deserved 2–0 victory over Comoros. The match between Tunisia and Tanzania recorded the highest scoreline of the round, with Tunisia winning 3–1, while Egypt edged past Zimbabwe with a 2–1 victory.

Early statements from continental heavyweights

Africa’s leading sides delivered early statements of intent, as defending champions Côte d’Ivoire began their title defence with a narrow 1–0 win over Mozambique. Cameroon secured the same scoreline against Gabon, while Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa all made winning starts, which strengthened their title ambitions.

Penalty misses stand out

The round also featured a notable lack of precision from the penalty spot, with spot-kicks missed by Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi and Mali’s El Bilal Touré.