Africa Cup of Nations Standings 2025: Final Group Results & Tables
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco was a tournament we will never forget. For the first time, the matches took place during the winter holidays. This change allowed fans to enjoy top-tier football while celebrating with family. From the opening kick in Rabat to the final whistle, the africa cup of nations standings kept us on the edge of our seats. Whether you were cheering for the Super Eagles or the Atlas Lions, every goal changed the map of the tournament.
Watching the africa cup of nations standings evolve is like reading a suspense novel. Small teams like Comoros and Sudan proved that they could hang with the giants. In this article, we will break down exactly how each team performed. We have built a detailed table and a deep look at the groups so you can relive the magic of the 35th edition of Africa’s biggest football party.
Final Africa Cup of Nations Standings: Group Stage Overview
The group stage was a whirlwind of action across nine world-class stadiums. In Group A, the hosts, Morocco, showed why they are a global force by finishing at the top. Meanwhile, Group C saw Nigeria dominate with a perfect record. Many fans were surprised by the africa cup of nations standings in Group D, where Senegal and DR Congo fought a tight battle for the lead. It wasn’t just about winning; goal difference played a huge part in deciding who moved on.
Below is the complete breakdown of the africa cup of nations standings for the group phase. This table shows points (Pts), matches played (P), wins (W), draws (D), and losses (L).
Official AFCON 2025 Group Tables
| Group | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| A | Morocco | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +5 | 7 |
| A | Mali | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| B | Egypt | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +2 | 7 |
| B | South Africa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| C | Nigeria | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 9 |
| C | Tunisia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +1 | 4 |
| D | Senegal | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +6 | 7 |
| D | DR Congo | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +4 | 7 |
| E | Algeria | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
| E | Burkina Faso | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +2 | 6 |
| F | Ivory Coast | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +2 | 7 |
| F | Cameroon | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +2 | 7 |
How the Host Nation Topped Group A
Morocco entered the tournament with massive pressure as the hosts. Their position in the africa cup of nations standings was never in much doubt, though. They started strong with a 2-0 win over Comoros. The atmosphere in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was electric. Even though they drew against Mali, their final victory against Zambia sealed their spot at the top.
I personally loved watching Brahim Diaz lead the attack. He was the tournament’s top scorer for a reason! Morocco’s defense was like a brick wall, only letting in one goal during the entire group stage. This solid start set the tone for their journey to the final.
Group B: The Battle of the Pharaohs and Bafana Bafana
Group B provided some of the most dramatic moments in the africa cup of nations standings. Egypt, the most decorated team in AFCON history, had to work hard. Mohamed Salah was the hero again, scoring a crucial penalty against South Africa. That 1-0 win was the turning point for the Pharaohs.
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana didn’t give up, though. They secured their second-place spot in the africa cup of nations standings with a wild 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe. It was a classic “cat and mouse” game where lead changes kept fans breathless. In the end, both traditional powers moved forward.
Nigeria’s Perfect Run in Group C
If you looked at the africa cup of nations standings for Group C, you saw a sea of green. Nigeria was the only team besides Algeria to win all three of their group matches. Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were unstoppable. They didn’t just win; they played with a style that made them look like title favorites from day one.
Tunisia struggled a bit but managed to grab the second spot. The real story was Tanzania. They managed to sneak into the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams. This was a historic moment for them, reaching the Last 16 for the first time in 45 years!
Senegal’s Defensive Mastery in Group D
Senegal came into 2025 as a team on a mission. Their place in the africa cup of nations standings reflected their champion mindset. They didn’t concede many goals and played very physical football. Their 3-0 win against Benin showed just how much depth they have in their squad.
DR Congo also finished with 7 points, making Group D one of the most competitive. The africa cup of nations standings tiebreaker came down to goal difference. Senegal’s +6 was just enough to pip the Leopards to the top spot. Both teams looked ready for a deep run into the tournament.
Algeria and the “Desert Foxes” Dominance
Algeria played their group matches in Rabat and felt right at home. They finished with 9 points, sitting comfortably at the top of the Group E africa cup of nations standings. Riyad Mahrez showed that class is permanent, leading his team to a perfect record. They scored 7 goals and only let in 1.
Behind them, Burkina Faso and Sudan also showed great spirit. Sudan’s 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea was one of the biggest upsets of the opening week. It proved that you can never count anyone out when looking at the africa cup of nations standings.
Group F: The Group of Death Delivers
Group F was labeled the “Group of Death” before the tournament even started. With Ivory Coast and Cameroon in the mix, the africa cup of nations standings were always going to be tight. Both giants finished with 7 points. The defending champions, Ivory Coast, took the top spot based on a slightly better scoring record.
The match between these two ended in a 1-1 draw, which felt fair. Mozambique also made history here. They recorded their first-ever AFCON win by beating Gabon 3-2. That win helped them join the elite in the knockout phase as a third-placed qualifier.
The Knockout Stage Path to the Final
Once the africa cup of nations standings were finalized, the real “win or go home” drama began. The Round of 16 saw some heavyweights fall. Egypt needed extra time to beat Benin, and Nigeria easily handled Mozambique. The bracket was set for a collision between North and West African giants.
The semi-finals were particularly intense. Senegal knocked out Egypt in a 1-0 thriller, while Morocco moved past Nigeria after a tense penalty shootout. This set up a dream final between the hosts and the Lions of Teranga.
Senegal Reclaims the Throne
The final match on January 18, 2026, was a masterclass in tactical football. Senegal faced Morocco in front of nearly 70,000 fans. While Morocco had the home support, Senegal had the experience. A late goal by Gueye in extra time gave Senegal their second continental title.
Even though Morocco lost, they should be proud. They hosted a perfect tournament and finished second in the overall africa cup of nations standings. Nigeria took home the bronze medal after beating Egypt in the third-place play-off.
Key Stats and Tournament Awards
Looking back at the africa cup of nations standings, we can see some amazing individual performances. Brahim Diaz won the Golden Boot with 5 goals. Sadio Mane was named the Best Player, showing that he is still the heartbeat of the Senegalese team.
- Total Goals Scored: 121
- Best Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
- Fair Play Award: Morocco
- Highest Attendance: 1,340,022 fans across all matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations?
Senegal won the tournament by defeating Morocco 1-0 in the final held in Rabat. This was their second AFCON title.
2. How are the africa cup of nations standings decided if points are tied?
If two teams have the same points, the first tiebreaker is the head-to-head result between them. After that, goal difference and goals scored are used.
3. Which teams moved on as the best third-placed teams?
Tanzania, Benin, Sudan, and Mozambique all advanced to the Round of 16 after finishing third in their respective groups.
4. Who was the top scorer of the tournament?
Brahim Diaz of Morocco finished as the top scorer with 5 goals throughout the competition.
5. Where will the next Africa Cup of Nations be held?
The 2027 edition is scheduled to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
6. Did the Ivory Coast defend their title successfully?
The Ivory Coast reached the quarter-finals but were eliminated by Egypt in a close 3-2 match.
Final Thoughts
The africa cup of nations standings tell a story of growth and passion in African football. We saw traditional powers remain strong, but we also saw new teams rising to the challenge. Morocco proved to be an incredible host, and Senegal proved they are still the kings of the continent.
Football in Africa is more than just a game; it is a celebration of culture and unity. We cannot wait to see what happens in 2027!
