AFCON 2025: Ex-Bundesliga superstars on target, Leverkusen duo make tournament debuts | OneFootball

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sadio Mané scored their first goals in the ongoing AFCON tournament in Morocco. Meanwhile, Christian Kofane and Eliesse Ben Seghir featured for the first time in the competition as the second round of the group stage concluded on Sunday.

Ex-Dortmund marksman Aubameyang scored for the first time in AFCON since 2017, which was also his last appearance. However, Gabon lost once again as Mozambique recorded its first-ever win in the history of the competition after a five-goal thriller.

Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire are at the top of the group after an entertaining 1-1 draw to close out matchday two action. Kofane made his tournament debut as he started in place of the matchwinner against Gabon, Karl Etta Eyong, while RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande featured for Côte d'Ivoire.

From Group E, Algeria booked their Round of 16 place with a narrow win over Burkina Faso. Riyad Mahrez netted his third goal of the tournament to sit at the top of the scoring chart. Edmond Tapsoba faced his Leverkusen teammate Ibrahim Maza, while Mohamed Amoura, Ramy Bensebaini, and Farès Chaïbi also featured for Algeria.

The 1970 champions Sudan beat Equatorial Guinea courtesy of an own-goal in the other game of the group.

Ben Seghir debut for the hosts

Hosts Morocco all but secured their place in the knockout stage with a draw against Mali. From successful penalties, Brahim Diaz and Lassine Sinayoko scored their second goals in as many matches. Bilal El Khannouss and Ben Seghir came off the bench for Morocco in the final 20 minutes.

In the other game of the group, Zambia and Comoros saw out the first goalless draw of the competition. Former Hertha BSC striker Myziane Maolida was denied the winner as his goal was chalked off by VAR due to a foul in the buildup. Magdeburg’s Lubambo Musonda played 90 minutes once again for Zambia.

Kenyan-born midfielder Jonah Fabisch, who will resume his battle to avoid relegation from 3. Liga with Erzgebirge Aue after the end of his tournament, played the entire game in Zimbabwe’s draw with Angola.

Mané and Musona came to the rescue

In his fourth AFCON, Knowledge Musona, who was scoreless in 30 Bundesliga appearances for Hoffenheim and Augsburg, salvaged the draw for Zimbabwe with the equalizing goal. In the rather high-caliber clash from the group, Egypt narrowly beat South Africa in a game that was dominated by VAR calls.

Matchday two of the group stage also had the mouthwatering clash of Tunisia and Nigeria. The three-time winners didn’t make it easy for themselves in the end, but they secured a place in the Round of 16 with a 3-2 win. Ellyes Skhiri was unable to get into the scoresheet this time, while Ismaël Gharbi played the last 15 minutes. Tanzania and Uganda drew 1-1 in a rare East Africa derby from the group. 

Meanwhile, Senegal and DR Congo are almost certain to seal progression from Group D after a similar scoreline put them both at four points. Nicolas Jackson’s Senegal earned a point thanks to Mané’s equalizer. Benin boosted their chances of qualification with a 1-0 win over Botswana.

The final round of the group stage games will be played in the last three days of 2025. The four best third-placed teams will join the top two from the six groups in the Round of 16.