Creativity always tells its own story at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and after Matchday One at AFCON 2025 in Morocco, the early assist numbers are already pointing to the players shaping how this tournament will play out, Footynaija.com reports.
Goals get the attention, but the assists show who’s really pulling the strings, unlocking defences and dictating the flow of their team’s play.
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has been the standout creator so far, sitting top of the assist chart after setting up both goals in Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Tanzania.
Operating between midfield and attack, Iwobi provided the final ball for both goals, showing just how central he has become to Nigeria’s play in big tournaments. His two assists in a single AFCON match is a rare feat for a Nigerian player, a mark previously achieved by John Obi Mikel during Nigeria’s title winning run at the 2013 tournament.
Behind Iwobi, a wide group of players are tied on one assist each, showing how creativity has been spread across the continent in the opening fixtures. Tunisia’s Hannibal Mejbri and Ali Abdi both found teammates with decisive passes, highlighting Tunisia’s emphasis on ball progression from midfield and full back areas.
Senegal also placed two names on the list, with Ismaïla Sarr and Cheick Tidiane Sabaly both delivering assists, reflecting their direct wing play and overlapping runs.
Morocco’s attacking structure produced assists from Noussair Mazraoui and Anass Salah Eddine, from their opening win. Algeria’s contribution came through Mohamed Amoura and Hicham Boudaoui, while Bryan Mbeumo provided Cameroon’s creative spark.
Southern Africa was represented by Lyle Foster for South Africa and Fredy for Angola, with Dango Ouattara assisting Burkina Faso and Emmanuel Jalai appearing on the sheet for Zimbabwe.
What stands out from Matchday 1 is how many assists came from wide zones and advanced midfield roles rather than traditional number 10s. Full backs like Mazraoui and Abdi pushed high, while wide forwards such as Sarr and Mbeumo created chances through movement and timing rather than elaborate build up play.
For Nigeria, the early signs are promising. Iwobi’s form adds to a team already packed with goal threats, and his connection with the scorers has been one of the Super Eagles’ most effective attacking combinations in Morocco so far.
