The race for the Golden Boot at AFCON 2025 is heating up, and it’s anyone’s game. With just two matches left, the battle for the tournament’s top scorer is tighter than ever, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. This edition of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has already seen a staggering 120 goals, making it the most goal-rich since 2019. But here’s where it gets even more thrilling: the final two matches—the third-place playoff and the grand final—will determine who takes home the coveted Golden Boot.
Leading the charge is Morocco’s homegrown hero, Brahim Diaz, who has been nothing short of sensational. With five goals to his name, Diaz has found the net in every stage of the tournament so far, from the group phase to the quarterfinals. His consistency and decisiveness have been pivotal in Morocco’s journey to the final. But here’s the twist: Nigeria managed to silence him in the semi-finals, holding Morocco to a goalless draw before the hosts advanced on penalties. Can Diaz bounce back and secure the award, or will his rivals seize the moment?
Hot on Diaz’s heels are two football giants: Egypt’s Mohammed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, both just one goal behind with four each. And this is the part most people miss: the third-place playoff between Egypt and Nigeria on Saturday could be a game-changer. If either Salah or Osimhen scores, they could dramatically shift the balance, leaving Diaz under immense pressure heading into Sunday’s final. But if neither finds the net, the door swings wide open for Diaz to clinch the title on home soil.
Beyond the top three, the race remains fiercely competitive. Five players are tied for third place with three goals each: Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, Côte d’Ivoire’s Amad Diallo, Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi, and Mali’s Lassine Sinayoko. Among them, Lookman and El Kaabi still have a shot at a late surge, as a multi-goal performance in their final matches could shake up the leaderboard and add another layer of drama to this gripping contest.
What makes this Golden Boot race so captivating is its unpredictability. Margins are razor-thin, momentum is fleeting, and every match has the potential to rewrite the script. For Diaz, it’s a test of nerves under the weight of expectation. For Salah and Osimhen, it’s a final opportunity to turn pressure into glory. For the chasing pack, it’s a chance to dream big. When the final whistle blows on Sunday night, one name will rise above the rest, forever etched into the history of African football—joining the ranks of legends who have defined eras and inspired generations.
But here’s the controversial question: Is Brahim Diaz truly the favorite, or could Salah or Osimhen pull off a last-minute upset? And what about the underdogs—could one of them steal the spotlight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. This is a race worthy of Africa’s greatest stage, and every fan has a reason to watch until the very end.
