Mahrez’s mission, Lookman's magic, and South African hoodoo: 10 things AFCON 2025 round one taught us

The opening fixtures of the AFCON 2025 in Morocco didn’t just start a tournament; they ignited a continent. 

As the 24 nations completed their first matches, a clear narrative emerged: the icons are still iconic, but a new generation is ready to seize the throne. 

From the clinical finishing of the veterans to the relentless energy of the youth, here is what we’ve learned.

In previous editions, the opening round was often a graveyard for favourites. Not in 2025. The Big 5, Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, and defending champions Ivory Coast, all secured maximum points. 

There’s a professional coldness to the heavyweights this year; they aren't just winning; they are managing games with a maturity that suggests they’ve learned from past embarrassments.

For a decade, Senegal’s heartbeat was Sadio Mané. While the legend remains, the Nicolas Jackson era has officially arrived. 

His clinical brace against Botswana was a masterclass in modern forward play, using his physicality to bully defenders and his improved composure to find the corners. 

With the service he’s receiving from the wings, he is the early frontrunner for the Golden Boot.

While all eyes were on Victor Osimhen, it was Ademola Lookman who proved why he is the reigning African Footballer of the Year. 

His winning goal against Tanzania was a moment of pure technical "magic"—a wicked, curling strike that spared Nigeria’s blushes. 

Lookman’s ability to find space when teams sit deep is becoming Nigeria's most lethal weapon.

At 34, critics wondered if Riyad Mahrez had one more ‘big’ tournament in him. He answered with a vintage brace against Sudan, including a goal just 82 seconds into the match. 

He isn't sprinting past fullbacks anymore; he’s outthinking them. His presence has stabilized an Algerian side that looked fractured in 2023, proving that he is still on a mission to reclaim continental glory.

Morocco has always had talent, but they’ve often lacked a "lock-picker" against deep defenses. Enter Brahim Diaz. The Real Madrid star has added a layer of European tactical discipline and creative spontaneity. 

His perfectly weighted assist for the opening goal against Comoros showed exactly why Walid Regragui fought so hard to secure his international allegiance.

The defending champions, Ivory Coast, found a hero in Amad Diallo. In a cagey 1–0 win over Mozambique, Diallo’s movement and clinical second-half finish provided the breakthrough. 

After years of being ‘the next big thing,’ his performance suggested he is finally ready to lead the Ivorian attack for the next decade.

For 21 years, South Africa carried the weight of opening-match failures. Their 2–1 victory over a dangerous Angola side felt like a national exorcism. 

Lyle Foster was the architect, scoring a sensational winning goal from the edge of the box. Under Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana have traded individual flair for a "Blue Collar" work ethic led by Foster’s grit.

While strikers get the headlines, the shot-stoppers are deciding the groups. Botswana’s Goitseone Phoko may have conceded three, but his 14 saves against Senegal prevented a historic blowout. 

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams proved why he is a Ballon d'Or nominee, making two world-class saves to preserve their lead against Angola. 

Shoutout also to Comoros’ number one Yannick Pandor, 24, who put on show against hosts Morocco, with five saves, including a penalty, despite eventually conceding two goals

The 90th minute is no longer the end; it’s the beginning of the drama. This round saw more goals after the 88th minute than any in recent memory. 

From Patson Daka’s 92nd-minute rescue for Zambia to Burkina Faso’s incredible two-goal heist in the final seconds, this tournament is teaching us to never turn off the TV until the referee blows the whistle.

In a refreshing change, VAR interventions in Morocco have been swift and decisive. Most reviews are being completed in under 90 seconds, with referees showing a preference for ‘clear and obvious’ errors. 

This has kept the high-octane energy of African football intact while ensuring that major blunders are corrected without killing the match's momentum.