Ademola Lookman leads the pack after round of 16
As the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) enters the quarter-final stage, a list of the top five performers from the recently concluded Round of 16 has been revealed.
Leading the rankings is Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, who has been widely hailed as the best player of the tournament so far. Following a group stage that saw a flurry of 87 goals, the competition tightened in the first knockout round, with only 22 goals scored as teams adopted more defensive and tactical approaches.
Ademola Lookman earned the top spot after a masterclass performance in Nigeria‘s 4-0 victory over Mozambique. The Atalanta winger was the creative engine for the Super Eagles, scoring the opening goal in the 20th minute and providing two crucial assists in the second half. His exploits in Morocco have seen him become the tournament’s leading provider with a total of four assists, cementing his status as one of the most dangerous attackers on the continent.
Closely following Lookman is Senegal’s Papa Gueye, who secured the second spot. Gueye was instrumental in Senegal‘s 3-1 comeback win against Sudan, netting two vital goals to ensure the defending champions progressed. His physical presence and clinical finishing in the midfield have been a cornerstone of the Teranga Lions‘ campaign as they seek to retain their title.
Rising stars and defensive stalwarts complete the list
In third place is Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, representing Ivory Coast. The young attacker played a pivotal role in the Elephants‘ 3-0 win over Burkina Faso, where he scored the opening goal and assisted the second. With three goals already to his name, Diallo is currently in the race for the Golden Boot, showcasing the immense talent that has earned him a place in one of the world’s biggest clubs.
Egypt’s Yasser Ibrahim took the fourth spot on the list, representing the defensive excellence seen in the knockout rounds. The defender was a rock for the Pharaohs during their grueling 3-1 extra-time victory over Benin Republic. Beyond his defensive duties, Ibrahim scored the decisive goal in the 97th minute to give Egypt the lead, proving that he can be just as effective in the opposition’s box as he is in his own.
Rounding out the top five is Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz, playing for Morocco. Diaz has been the spark for the host nation, scoring in every game he has played during the tournament. He secured the only goal in the Atlas Lions‘ narrow win over Tanzania, bringing his total to four goals and making him the current top goalscorer of AFCON 2025. His ability to produce moments of magic in tight games has made him a fan favorite in Marrakech.
High stakes as the tournament enters the final eight
With the quarter-finals set to begin, these five players will be under intense scrutiny to see if they can maintain their high level of performance. The list highlights a diverse range of talent, from seasoned defenders to some of the brightest young prospects in world football. As the remaining eight teams vie for the trophy, individual brilliance is expected to be the deciding factor in the high-stakes matches ahead.
The competition for the Player of the Tournament award is also heating up, with Lookman and Diaz currently seen as the frontrunners. Fans across the continent are eagerly awaiting the heavyweight clashes, particularly Nigeria‘s encounter with Algeria, where Lookman‘s playmaking abilities will be tested against a disciplined North African defense. The tactical battle between these top-tier performers promises to make the quarter-finals a spectacle of African football at its finest.
As the continent prepares for the final push toward the final in Rabat, the stories of these five players serve as a reminder of the quality on display in Morocco. Whether it is Lookman‘s assists, Diaz‘s goals, or Ibrahim‘s defensive headers, the “Top Five” have set a standard that others will now have to match if they want to lead their nations to continental glory.
