AFCON 2025: Top 5 things we learned from opening round matches

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AFCON 2025: Top 5 things we learned from opening round matches

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) kicked off in Morocco with drama, brilliance, and controversy from Mohamed Salah’s quest for immortality to South Africa’s long-awaited breakthrough, the opening round delivered storylines that will shape the rest of the tournament.

 Fans witnessed big stars living up to their reputations, technology faltering under pressure, and coaches making ruthless tactical calls.

Here are the five biggest lessons from AFCON 2025’s opening matches.

Salah Chasing Career Icing

Mohamed Salah has conquered Europe, winning the Premier League, Champions League, and Club World Cup, yet Africa’s crown jewel still eludes him. Egypt’s record seven AFCON titles have never included his fingerprints.

Twice he reached the final, in 2017 and 2021, only to fall short. In Cameroon 2021, his Liverpool teammate Sadio Mané denied him glory with Senegal’s penalty triumph.

In 2023, fate was crueler. Salah scored in Egypt’s opener but limped out injured, leaving the Pharaohs to bow out against DR Congo in the quarter-finals. Now, in Morocco, Salah is back under coach Hossam Hassan, himself a former AFCON winner.

Victory here would elevate Salah from peer to undisputed king of African football, joining legends like Samuel Eto’o, Yaya Touré, George Weah, and Roger Milla.

Bafana Bafana Break Finals Duck

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana finally broke a 21-year curse of opening-match failures, defeating Angola 2–1. Lyle Foster’s thunderous late strike sealed the win, while captain Ronwen Williams produced heroic saves to keep them alive.

Coach Hugo Broos, who won AFCON with Cameroon in 2017, had stressed the importance of starting strong.

His words rang true: this victory is more than three points. It is a psychological turning point for a team long haunted by slow starts. With Egypt looming on December 26 and Zimbabwe on December 29, Bafana have momentum, belief, and a nation daring to dream again.

Lyle Foster celebarates his goal against Angola with Sipho Mbule and Yaya Sithole. Photo SAFA

Big Players Living Up to Reputation

The stars came to shine, and shine they did. Riyad Mahrez, Omar Marmoush, Salah, and Lyle Foster all delivered performances worthy of their reputations. Marmoush’s equalizer against Zimbabwe was clinical, Salah’s 90th-minute winner pure theatre, Mahrez’s leadership for Algeria undeniable, and Foster’s strike a statement of intent.

AFCON has always tested reputations under fire, and this year the big names are proving they are ready to lead their nations to glory.

Mamoush and Salah

Technology Failure Sparks Debate

Drama unfolded in the Congo vs Benin clash when VAR went down for 15 minutes. During that window, Benin were denied a potential penalty after Chancel Mbemba, the former Newcastle United defender, appeared to handle inside the box.

Television replays were inconclusive over whether the ball struck his arm or shoulder, but referee Abongile Tom could not review the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Officials later admitted VAR malfunctioned, leaving Benin furious. In a tournament of fine margins, this glitch was more than a hiccup. It was a moment that could alter the trajectory of a nation’s campaign.

AFCON prides itself on modernization, but this incident was a stark reminder that technology can fail, and when it does, the consequences are brutal.

Stakes Too High for Sentiment

AFCON 2025 is unforgiving, and coaches are showing zero tolerance for sentiment or ego. When Zimbabwe stunned Egypt with an early lead, Hossam Hassan made a ruthless call by hauling off playmaker Mohamed Ashour after just 33 minutes for a striker. The gamble worked.

Egypt found structure, pinned back Zimbabwe’s centre-backs, and limited their diagonal supply to speedy wingers. Zimbabwe went ultra-defensive after conceding, but brilliance broke them.

Marmoush struck in the second half, Salah delivered in the 90th minute, and Egypt walked away with three points. The message is clear: this AFCON is no place for hesitation. Tactical bravery will separate contenders from pretenders.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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