AFCON 2025 Group A – Five Players to Watch
Group A of the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Morocco, promises exciting matchups with players like Brahim Díaz for Morocco, who looks to channel his frustration from limited playing time at Real Madrid into performance success. Mali's Nene Dorgeles offers consistency in goals and assists, while Zambia's Patson Daka aims to translate his international performance to club success. Saïd Bakari of Comoros seeks to captivate scouts with his relentless energy. Youssef En-Nesyri of Morocco, a contender for the Golden Boot, brings his scoring prowess to the fore.
- Brahim Díaz aims to prove himself for Morocco with Achraf Hakimi likely absent.
- Nene Dorgeles brings scoring and assisting consistency to Mali.
- Youssef En-Nesyri is a strong contender for the Golden Boot with Morocco.
Host nation Morocco have some big-name players to keep an eye on in Group A (Getty Images).
Group A of the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations contains hosts Morocco, plus Mali, Zambia and Comoros. Below are five players to watch out for in the Group Stages.
Brahim Díaz (Morocco)
Brahim Díaz has struggled for minutes at Real Madrid this season, so this tournament could be an outlet for his frustration. The right winger, who was tapped by Spain before switching to play for Morocco, scored an incredible seven goals in four qualifiers for this tournament. He netted once at home to each of Gabon and Lesotho, before a brace and a hattrick in the return fixtures. With Achraf Hakimi carrying an injury, it could be Man Utd’s Noussair Mazraoui dovetailing with Diaz down the right.
Nene Dorgeles (Mali)
Nene Dorgeles joined Fenerbahçe from Salzburg prior to this season. With five goals and nine assists to his name at club level, he is a consistent goal and assist threat. In qualifying for this tournament, he scored a hattrick in a 6-0 win over Eswatini. Although ultimately unsuccessful, his three goals in World Cup 2026 qualifying was an impressive return. With Yves Bissouma set to miss Mali’s opening match, Dorgeles could take the mantle as the main man.
Patson Daka (Zambia)
Leicester’s Patson Daka has been inconsistent for Leicester City in the Championship this term, scoring just one goal in 21 outings. He has 42 caps and 20 goals for Chipolopolo and tends to do better at international level. He netted four goals in AFCON qualifying and a further three in the World Cup qualifiers. Zambia lack big names and proven stars on the world stage, so eyes will be on Daka and Al Fayha’s Fashion Sakala to carry the burden.
Saïd Bakari (Comoros)
Saïd Bakari has been a consistent Eredivisie performer for Sparta Rotterdam whenever called upon this season. His performances at AFCON 2021 were solid, with Bakari playing in all four matches as Comoros made a historic Round of 16 appearance. The 31-year-old right back is known for his engine and work rate, and the France-born defender has 46 caps for his country. At club level, he has started three of 16 league matches this term, so this tournament represents a chance to put himself in the shop window.
Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco)
Centre forward Youssef En-Nesyri has been in excellent form for Fenerbahçe this season, scoring seven goals in 10 league starts. At the 2022 World Cup, he was integral to Morocco’s success, scoring a key goal against Canada in the group stage and against Portugal in the quarter-finals. He netted three goals in qualifying for this tournament and two goals on the way to helping Morocco to reach the World Cup next year. He is among the favourites for the Golden Boot in the tournament.
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