Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has emerged as the joint-leading scorer at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco after a lively opening round of group matches that wrapped up on Wednesday.
Mahrez struck twice in Algeria’s convincing 3-0 victory over Sudan. The winger now shares top spot on the AFCON 2025 scorers’ chart with Senegal forward Nicolas Jackson and Tunisia’s attacking standout Elias Achouri.
Jackson also grabbed a brace as Senegal swept aside Botswana on Tuesday, while Achouri matched that feat in Tunisia’s win over Uganda on the same day.
Behind the leading trio, several familiar names have already opened their accounts, including Nigeria duo Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman, Egypt talisman Mohamed Salah, South Africa’s Lyle Foster, Ivory Coast winger Amad Diallo and Equatorial Guinea’s Marvin Anieboh.
Wednesday’s results added further intrigue across the groups. Defending champions Ivory Coast edged Mozambique 1-0 in Group F, with Amad Diallo providing the decisive moment.
Cameroon also claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Gabon in the same group, Etta Eyong finding the net before the break.
In Group E, Algeria’s comfortable success over Sudan was complemented by Burkina Faso’s 2-1 victory against Equatorial Guinea, a result that leaves them second behind the group leaders.
There is a brief pause in the action on Thursday, Christmas Day, with no fixtures scheduled.
The group stage resumes on Friday, Boxing Day, as Angola face Zimbabwe in the afternoon, followed by a heavyweight meeting between Egypt and South Africa in the evening.
Zambia will take on Comoros, while hosts Morocco close the day with a night-time clash against Mali.
