Published:
Saturday, 03 January 2026

The group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has underlined a familiar truth about African football: experience still matters, but a new generation is rapidly closing the gap.

Across six groups and 24 matches, a blend of decorated winners and emerging stars has driven performances, influenced results and ignited debate over who could claim the continent’s top individual honour next.

With 87 goals scored before the knockout rounds, several African Footballer of the Year winners have once again stepped forward when their teams needed them most. At the same time, younger talents have delivered defining moments that suggest the balance of power may soon shift.

Proven winners still delivering

For Senegal, Sadio Mané, African Footballer of the Year in 2019 and 2022, combined leadership with efficiency.

His goal in the group stage, alongside two from Nicolas Jackson, helped the Lions of Teranga finish top of Group D, reinforcing Mané’s enduring influence in major tournaments.

Algeria’s campaign has been driven by Riyad Mahrez, the 2016 African Footballer of the Year.

Mahrez emerged as one of the group stage’s standout performers, scoring three goals — including a brace against Sudan and a crucial strike versus Burkina Faso — as the Desert Foxes topped Group E with authority.

Egypt, meanwhile, leaned heavily on Mohamed Salah, winner of the award in 2017 and 2018.

Salah struck twice, delivering a dramatic last-gasp winner against Zimbabwe before netting the decisive goal against South Africa to keep the Pharaohs top of Group B.

Despite Gabon’s early exit, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, African Footballer of the Year in 2015, showed his instincts remain intact, scoring during the group stage and reinforcing his reputation as one of Africa’s most reliable finishers.\

Recent winners set to sparkle

For hosts Morocco, Achraf Hakimi, the 2025 African Footballer of the Year, returned from injury to feature on matchday three, offering defensive stability and attacking thrust as the Atlas Lions navigated a demanding group.

Alongside the established names, several players used the group stage to strengthen their case as future African Footballer of the Year contenders. Nigeria’s campaign has been shaped by Ademola Lookman, the 2024 winner, who contributed two goals and two assists, including a match-winning performance against Tunisia that earned him the Man of the Match award.

Nigeria also benefited from the physical presence of Victor Osimhen, African Footballer of the Year in 2023, whose goal against Tunisia underlined his continued importance in big matches.

Rising stars stake their claim

Côte d’Ivoire’s attacking spark came from Amad Diallo, who scored twice in the group stage, including a decisive winner against Mozambique, combining pace, vision and composure.

Elsewhere, Bryan Mbeumo provided creativity and goals for Cameroon, while Raphaël Onyedika quietly controlled midfield proceedings for Nigeria, dictating tempo and enabling attacking transitions.

Experience meets ambition

As AFCON 2025 moves into the knockout rounds, the group stage has set a clear tone. Former African Footballers of the Year — Mané, Mahrez, Salah, Aubameyang and Hakimi — continue to shape matches with authority and composure.

At the same time, rising stars such as Diallo, Mbeumo and Onyedika have signalled their readiness to inherit the spotlight.

The next phase of the tournament will test whether experience or youthful momentum ultimately prevails — and may well determine who emerges as Africa’s next Footballer of the Year.

It’s been a busy 24 hours at Chelsea after the departure of head coach Enzo Maresca to begin 2026.

Maresca’s exit, which was confirmed in a 99-word statement from Chelsea on New Year’s Day, came three days before their Premier League fixture away to Manchester City on January 4.

The Chelsea squad returned to their Cobham training base on Friday to begin preparations for their trip to the Etihad, with the club’s Under-21s head coach Calum McFarlane being handed the responsibility to take charge of the team against Pep Guardiola’s side.

After taking charge of Friday’s morning training session, he was tasked with facing the media to preview Sunday’s clash.

McFarlane, who will oversee his first senior game in professional football, offered an insight to a ‘whirlwind 24 hours’ which he has very much enjoyed as he steps into Maresca’s vacant hotseat whilst Chelsea search for a permanent successor.

“It’s been a crazy 24 hours,” admitted McFarlane. “A whirlwind, as you can imagine. But also really enjoyable and really exciting. I can only feel positive about it. It’s an amazing experience.”

McFarlane was officially introduced to the Chelsea squad on Friday morning before training commenced, with the interim boss hailing the squad’s application as they prepare for a ‘massive game’.

He added: “I think there’s a really good culture at the club in terms of their support from the first team, from the directors. Everyone seems interested. When we’ve had big youth league games in the Youth Champions League, the first team players are coming across and watching.

“There’s obviously a bit of an academy presence there as well. I met with a few of the individuals beforehand, but I was officially introduced this morning.

“You don’t know what to expect really, but the energy, enthusiasm and training was exceptional today. They seem really focused. They’re really driven and hungry. They know we’ve got a massive game on Sunday and we’re going to have to be at our best. You can feel that. They’re professionals. They’ve done this a long time. They’ve been here before.”

McFarlane was quick to hail club captain Reece James, who was among those who penned a farewell message to departing Maresca, for his leadership and support.

“Reece has been brilliant,” McFarlane continued. “He’s been a real leader in the group and supported the staff and the players. You can’t ask for any more. It just seems like a real focus for getting the best performance we can on Sunday.”

Chelsea come up against a Man City side who have a terrific record against the Blues – they are unbeaten in their last eight league games (W6 D2).

Despite it being a huge clash and also McFarlane’s first senior game in charge, he is not fazed by the challenge of stepping into the limelight. His focus remains on preparing Chelsea as best as possible to get a result.

“Ultimately, it’s a football match,” concluded the 40-year-old. “It’s not really about me or my first game or playing against Pep. It’s about Chelsea versus City. Two top sides. We’ll go there and compete. We’ve seen this year how this team can do in big moments. We’re really looking forward to that challenge.

“The team needs to be prepared and ready for the game on Sunday and our job as a staff is to give them the best opportunity to perform in that arena, in that environment. It’s about giving the players the support they need to go and execute the performance.”

Former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to urgently intervene to secure the payment of their long-outstanding end-of-service benefits, warning that the prolonged delay has had severe human and financial consequences.

The appeal was contained in a New Year message addressed to the President by Leo-Nelson Adzidogah, former Municipal Chief Executive for Akatsi South, on behalf of his former MMDCE colleagues across the political divide.

In the message, Mr Adzidogah welcomed President Mahama’s January 1 New Year address to the nation, particularly his call for unity beyond partisan lines, and urged the President to translate that message into action by resolving the unpaid benefits issue.

“Your message was out of the ordinary as you emphasised the need for us to see ourselves as one people defined by a common destiny,” he said, adding that former MMDCEs from both the NPP and NDC shared that same sentiment.

According to him, the delay in paying the end-of-service benefits has become a “national tragedy,” noting that several former MMDCEs have died while others are battling serious health conditions they can no longer afford to treat.

“A lot of our colleagues have gone to eternity because they could not afford their medical bills. Some are also battling with ill health and need money to pay bills,” he stated.

Mr Adzidogah reminded President Mahama that similar benefits were promptly paid to former MMDCEs in 2017 under the Akufo-Addo administration, following the end of Mahama’s first term, and expressed hope that the current President would show the same level of compassion.

“We are highly optimistic that you will not ignore our plea. You cannot deny your fellow citizens what is due them,” he said.

He also highlighted the personal toll of the delay, revealing that many former MMDCEs and their families were unable to enjoy the recent Christmas festivities due to financial hardship.

The appeal comes amid broader public conversations about welfare obligations to former public officeholders and the need for continuity in governance transitions.

Former MMDCEs play key roles in local administration and political mobilisation, and unresolved benefit issues have remained a recurring concern after changes in government.

The group says it remains hopeful that the President will issue a directive for the payment of the benefits in the spirit of national unity and cooperation he outlined in his New Year message.

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The Member of Parliament(MP) for the Sagnarigu Constituency in the Northern Region, Mr Atta Issah says 2025 was a year of growth and resilience, collective effort, and key gains in education, community development, youth empowerment, social cohesion, and infrastructure advocacy in the constituency

He said schools in the 2025 had received improved support in infrastructure, learning materials and many others.

He made the disclosure in his new year message to his constituency here in Sagnarigu on Friday.

He said the improvement was not only in the education sector but health, agriculture and sanitation was also improved within just a year in office as MP

Mr Issah stated that community initiatives fostered unity among the youth and women demonstrating a remarkable innovation and determination among the good people in the constituency.

This, according to him,the success was stem from teamwork, trust, and shared vision among chiefs, traditional authorities, religious leaders, Assembly Members, party faithful, and all stakeholders ensuring peace and development in the area.

He said as young MP he would continue to lobby for more developmental projects to his constituency

The MP stated that he was voted to champion the development of the area and he would push forward for more development of the area in the year 2026

He added that he was a development oriented MP hence the need for Sagnarigu to get the development under his watch.

The MP said Entering into 2026 brings a renew hope, optimism, and determination to deepen development, strengthen institutions, create youth opportunities, and enhance livelihoods across the Sagnarigu constituency

He stated that they was the need for them to promote peace, accountability, unity, and inclusive growth together in the area

Mr Issah said the development partners, commitment to collaboration on people-centered projects remains firm; to party executives and supporters in their dedication to bolsters their political strength and grassroots ties.

The MP urged the good people of the constituency to embrace peace, hard work, tolerance, and patriotism in building the constituency that fulfills their aspirations and aids national development.

He also called on them to unite as one people towards one goal to realised the development agenda of the constituency

Mr Issah therefore commended the party executives, opinion leaders, civil society organisation the Sagnarigu Municipality Assembly and development partners for their unwavering commitment driving progress in the constituency.

FROM YAHAYA NUHU NADAA, SAGNARIGU