After the success of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, attention has shifted to the qualifying campaign for the 2025 edition in Morocco.
The first two rounds, played last weekend, produced some surprising results: Ghana were stunned at home by Angola, Nigeria struggled to break down Rwanda, and South Africa required a late equaliser to avoid a home defeat to Uganda.
In the midst of these surprises, several standout performances caught the eye.
Soccernet.ng’s Imhons Erons has compiled a list of the ten best players from the first two rounds of qualifiers.
Youssouf Yacoub M'Changama – Comoros
Comoros picked up two impressive draws against Gambia and Madagascar, placing them second behind Tunisia in Group A.
Troyes midfielder Youssouf Yacoub M'Changama was instrumental, scoring in both games.
The 34-year-old opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw with Gambia before netting a 41st-minute equaliser in another 1-1 draw away at Madagascar.
Brahim Diaz – Morocco
After switching allegiance from Spain to Morocco, Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz made an immediate impact.
He scored his first competitive goal for the Atlas Lions in a 4-1 demolition of Gabon.
Three days later, Diaz netted a dramatic 93rd-minute winner as Morocco secured two wins from two with a 1-0 victory over Lesotho.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Gabon
At 35, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues to shine. The former Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund striker netted twice in Gabon’s opening two games.
He scored in their heavy defeat to Morocco and converted an 11th-minute penalty in Gabon’s 2-0 win over the Central African Republic, bringing his tally to 22 goals in 45 appearances for his country.
Louis Mafouta – Central African Republic
Amiens SC forward Louis Mafouta is crucial to the Central African Republic's hopes of securing a first-ever AFCON qualification.
Already his nation’s top scorer, Mafouta bagged a brace in the 3-1 win over Lesotho.
Although kept quiet against Gabon, he will be the key player to watch when CAR face Morocco in a doubleheader in October.
Amine Gouiri – Algeria
Former France youth international Amine Gouiri scored his first competitive goals for Algeria, helping the North Africans to two wins from two.
The Stade Rennais forward came off the bench to seal a 2-0 win over Equatorial Guinea and followed that up with a goal in Algeria’s 3-0 win over Liberia on his full debut.
Yves Bissouma – Mali
Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma ended a seven-year goal drought for Mali, playing a pivotal role as they picked up four points from two games.
Bissouma’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Mozambique and his match-winning strike in a 1-0 victory over Eswatini ensured Mali’s solid start to the qualifiers.
Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trézéguet' – Egypt
Egypt started their AFCON qualifiers in fine form, scoring seven goals and conceding none in their opening two games.
Trézéguet was the standout player, netting a brace in the 4-0 demolition of Botswana. The former Aston Villa winger now has 21 goals in 64 appearances for his country.
Thalente Mbatha – South Africa
Thalente Mbatha saved South Africa from potential embarrassment with two last-gasp goals.
Mbatha scored a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against Uganda, and three days later, repeated the feat with another 95th-minute winner in a thrilling 3-2 victory over South Sudan.
https://youtu.be/0KKHqqW013E?si=F6tUnKeMN4W5woI8
Ademola Lookman – Nigeria
Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman was Nigeria’s standout player as the Super Eagles began their AFCON qualifying campaign with a win over Benin and a draw with Rwanda.
Lookman scored twice in a 3-0 victory over Benin and had a goal controversially ruled out for offside in the away draw against Rwanda. The 26-year-old is a strong contender for African Footballer of the Year.
Jean-Philippe Krasso – Ivory Coast
Jean-Philippe Krasso led Ivory Coast to two wins in their opening qualifiers, scoring three of their four goals.
The Paris FC striker netted both goals in a 2-0 win over Zambia and opened the scoring in a 2-0 victory against Chad.
Honourable Mentions
Nigerian star Victor Osimhen delivered a fine display with a goal against Benin.
South Africa’s Oswin Appollis impressed with two goals in the victory over South Sudan.
Meanwhile, Ryan Mendes (Cape Verde), Hakim Ziyech (Morocco), and Lassane Traoré (Burkina Faso) all scored twice for their respective nations.
