{"id":65930,"date":"2026-01-02T18:52:31","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T18:52:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/lesotho\/all-news\/afcon-2025-group-stage-sees-87-goals-scored"},"modified":"2026-01-02T19:34:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T19:34:45","slug":"afcon-2025-group-stage-sees-87-goals-scored","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/lesotho\/all-news\/afcon-2025-group-stage-sees-87-goals-scored","title":{"rendered":"AFCON 2025 Group Stage Sees 87 Goals Scored"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Lesotho. <\/strong> <\/span>The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage in Morocco delivered one of the most exciting opening rounds in the tournament\u2019s 24-team history, producing 87 goals in 36 matches \u2014 an average of 2.42 goals per game.<\/p>\n

The competition also recorded strong fan engagement, with an estimated 729,935 spectators across stadiums \u2014 roughly 20,000 fans per match.<\/p>\n

The group phase saw 9 penalties awarded and all converted, while referees showed 4 red cards, highlighting a blend of attacking intent and heated contests.<\/p>\n

Nigeria & Algeria Set the Pace<\/b><\/p>\n

The Super Eagles of Nigeria and Algeria\u2019s Desert Foxes made the loudest statements, finishing their groups with a perfect 9 points each.<\/p>\n

Nigeria emerged from Group C as the most prolific team, scoring 8 goals \u2014 the highest by any side.<\/p>\n

Their attack averaged 2.7 goals per match and featured six different goal scorers.<\/p>\n

However, Nigeria\u2019s defense conceded 4 goals \u2014 their highest group-stage concession since 1990.<\/p>\n

Algeria matched Nigeria\u2019s 100% record in Group E, led by captain Riyad Mahrez, who finished the group stage among the joint-top scorers with 3 goals.<\/p>\n

Group Highlights & Standings<\/b>
\nGroup A<\/b><\/p>\n

Morocco \u2013 7 pts (Group winners, advanced)<\/p>\n

Mali \u2013 3 pts (2nd, advanced)<\/p>\n

Comoros & Zambia \u2013 2 pts each (Eliminated)<\/p>\n

The Atlas Lions scored 9 goals, powered by Ayoub El Kaabi and Brahim Di\u0301az, both netting multiple goals.<\/p>\n

Group B<\/b><\/p>\n

Egypt \u2013 7 pts (Winners)<\/p>\n

South Africa \u2013 6 pts (2nd)<\/p>\n

Angola & Zimbabwe (Eliminated)<\/p>\n

14 goals were scored, with Mohamed Salah delivering key moments for Egypt.<\/p>\n

Group C<\/b><\/p>\n

Nigeria \u2013 9 pts (Winners)<\/p>\n

Tunisia \u2013 4 pts (2nd)<\/p>\n

Uganda \u2013 2 pts (Advanced as one of the best 3rd places)<\/p>\n

Tanzania \u2013 1 pt (Eliminated)<\/p>\n

This was the highest-scoring group with 20 goals total.<\/p>\n

Group D<\/b><\/p>\n

Senegal \u2013 7 pts<\/p>\n

DR Congo \u2013 7 pts<\/p>\n

Benin \u2013 3 pts (Advanced as 3rd place)<\/p>\n

Botswana \u2013 0 pts (Eliminated)<\/p>\n

13 goals scored in the group.<\/p>\n

Group E<\/b><\/p>\n

Algeria \u2013 9 pts<\/p>\n

Burkina Faso \u2013 3 pts<\/p>\n

Sudan \u2013 3 pts (Advanced as best 3rd)<\/p>\n

Equatorial Guinea \u2013 0 pts (Eliminated)<\/p>\n

14 goals scored.<\/p>\n

Group F<\/b><\/p>\n

Co\u0302te d\u2019Ivoire \u2013 4 pts<\/p>\n

Cameroon \u2013 4 pts<\/p>\n

Mozambique (Advanced as best 3rd)<\/p>\n

Gabon \u2013 0 pts (Eliminated)<\/p>\n

17 goals scored \u2014 one of the strongest attacking groups.<\/p>\n

Top Scorers (Group Stage)<\/b><\/p>\n

Three players finished tied on 3 goals:<\/p>\n

Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)<\/p>\n

Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco)<\/p>\n

Brahim Di\u0301az (Morocco)<\/p>\n

Teams Progressing to the Round of 16<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2714 Group Winners: Nigeria, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Co\u0302te d\u2019Ivoire<\/p>\n

\u2714 Runners-Up: South Africa, Mali, Tunisia, DR Congo, Burkina Faso, Cameroon<\/p>\n

\u2714 Best 3rd-Placed Teams: Uganda, Benin, Sudan, Mozambique<\/p>\n

A total of 16 teams advanced to the knockout stage.<\/p>\n

Notable AFCON 2025 Facts<\/b><\/p>\n

The 87 goals scored is the second-highest tally since AFCON expanded to 24 teams.<\/p>\n

Former champions including Morocco, Egypt, Senegal, and Algeria displayed strong consistency.<\/p>\n

Sudan reached the knockouts despite their only goal involvement in one match coming from an opponent\u2019s own goal.<\/p>\n

Find more news and analyses on Lesotho<\/span> on the Africa Press<\/span> website<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Lesotho. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage in Morocco delivered one of the most exciting opening rounds in the tournament\u2019s 24-team history, producing 87 goals in 36 matches \u2014 an average of 2.42 goals per game. The competition also recorded strong fan engagement, with an estimated 729,935 spectators across stadiums \u2014 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":65929,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,17],"tags":[245],"class_list":["post-65930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-sport","tag-lesotho"],"yoast_head":"\nAFCON 2025 Group Stage Sees 87 Goals Scored - Lesotho<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"-article-header-tag"> Africa-Press - Lesotho. 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