By Victor Okoye (NAN)
Nigeria’s Super Eagles set the attacking benchmark at the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as group-stage statistics highlighted their firepower, dominance in possession and efficiency in Morocco.
The group stage of the 2025 AFCON delivered a clear message: attacking ambition, ball control and efficiency defined progress in Morocco.
Across 36 matches, 87 goals were scored, averaging 2.42 per game, reflecting a tournament played with intent from kickoff to the final whistle of group fixtures.
The figures point to an AFCON increasingly shaped by proactive football, where teams sought early control, quick combinations and decisive moments in both penalty areas.
At the top of the scoring charts, Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi, Brahim Díaz and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez finished level with three goals apiece after the group phase.
El Kaabi’s ruthless finishing drove Morocco’s smooth qualification, Díaz blended creativity with accuracy, while Mahrez’s calm leadership inspired Algeria’s flawless group campaign.
Beyond individual brilliance, Nigeria emerged as the competition’s most dangerous attacking side during the group stage.
The Super Eagles scored eight goals, the tournament’s highest, from 21 shots, with 10 on target, underlining a balance between volume, precision and ruthless execution.
Nigeria also dominated possession, averaging 66 per cent, the highest in the group stage, illustrating territorial control and sustained pressure on opponents.
Those numbers reflected a side comfortable dictating tempo, circulating the ball patiently and converting dominance into goals when openings appeared.
Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle, said the statistics reflected his team’s philosophy and growth.
“We wanted to impose ourselves, keep the ball and attack with purpose, and the numbers show the players embraced that identity,” Chelle said.
He stressed that dominance must now translate into knockout success.
“The challenge is maintaining intensity and discipline because one moment can decide everything at this stage,” the coach added.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi said the Super Eagles’ figures were built on collective efforts and tactical clarity.
“Possession and goals come from teamwork. Everyone understands their role, and that unity has driven our attacking numbers,” Ndidi said.
Ndidi warned that statistics alone would not win titles.
“The knockout games demand focus, maturity and hunger. We know the job is far from finished,” the Super Eagles captain said.
The Super Eagles’ attacking output contrasted sharply with Botswana’s struggles, as they conceded seven goals, scored once and averaged just 38 per cent possession.
Defensively, such figures highlighted the unforgiving nature of the tournament, where lapses in structure and control were swiftly punished.
The group stage also carried its physical edge, with 126 yellow cards and six red cards issued across matches.
The spread of red cards across several teams underlined tight margins, late-match tension and the pressure of qualification battles.
Yet, teams that progressed consistently combined physical resilience with discipline and intelligent game management.
Assists statistics further emphasised the importance of coordinated movement and collective attacking patterns rather than reliance on individual moments alone.
Penalty decisions also shaped outcomes, with Tunisia awarded two spot-kicks, while 10 other nations earned one each during the group phase.
These moments often proved decisive in tight encounters, reinforcing the value of composure and execution under pressure.
In possession trends, Morocco and South Africa averaged 62 per cent, while Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire followed closely at 60 per cent.
The data revealed a tactical shift, as control of the ball increasingly complemented AFCON’s traditional counter-attacking strengths.
As the knockout stage approaches, the numbers suggest a clear storyline: attacking teams are thriving, goals are flowing, and efficiency is decisive.
With Nigeria setting the attacking benchmark and elite finishers leading the scoring race, the stage is set for finer margins and higher stakes ahead.
The group phase may be complete, but the statistics point to an even more compelling contest as AFCON 2025 enters its decisive chapter. NAN