Creators are running the show at AFCON 2025, and right now two stars sit above the rest. Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman and Senegal’s Sadio Mané head into the quarter-finals tied on four assists each. It is a race that tells a bigger story: teams who pass well and make chances are the ones who keep moving on. With Morocco hosting in buzzing cities like Marrakech, Rabat and Agadir, the final eight is set and the supply lines will likely decide who lifts the trophy.

Lookman and Mané headline the AFCON 2025 assist race

Lookman has been the tournament’s chief creator so far. He has four assists and three goals, making seven total goal contributions for Nigeria. He is not just quick on the wing; he picks the right pass and makes smart runs into the box. That mix is hard to stop.

Mané, Senegal’s captain and leader, also stands on four assists. He pulls wide, drops deep, and threads passes that break open packed defenses. His numbers show how dangerous he is even when he is not the one finishing the move.

• Ademola Lookman (Nigeria): 4 assists, 3 goals
• Sadio Mané (Senegal): 4 assists
• Alex Iwobi (Nigeria): 2 assists
• Akor Adams: 2 assists
• Anis Hadj-Moussa: 2 assists

“Is this the AFCON where creators finally get the crown?”

Nigeria’s cutting edge: goals, runners, and calm passing

Nigeria have 12 goals in just four games. That is the best output left in the tournament and it is not by luck. Lookman drives at defenses. Alex Iwobi, on two assists, keeps the ball moving and sees passes early. Akor Adams adds presence in the box and has also set up two goals.

This mix lets Nigeria attack in waves. They can score on the break, from wide areas, and after long spells of patient play. If this continues, the Super Eagles will be hard to stop.

“Nigeria aren’t just fast — they’re tidy. It’s the extra pass that kills you.”

Senegal’s supply line: Mané pulls the strings for the Lions

Senegal’s attack works because Mané connects everything. He creates from the left, finds the striker early, and knows when to delay the pass for the perfect moment. Heading into a tough quarter-final against Mali, that timing will matter. If Senegal control the ball and keep moving it through Mané, chances will come.

The Lions are not chasing big scorelines; they are chasing control. That is why Mané’s assist numbers are so important. They show a plan built on smart decisions rather than chaos.

Côte d’Ivoire’s statement win and a creator in form

The defending champions sent a loud message in the Round of 16. Côte d’Ivoire beat Burkina Faso 3-0. Amad Diallo grabbed a goal and an assist. Yan Diomande scored, and Bazoumana Touré added another. It was clean, fast and brave — the kind of win that builds belief.

Diallo summed up the mood after the match: “First of all, we fought together as a team. Everyone is focused on contributing in whatever way they can. There is also a real chemistry on the pitch.”

Next up for the Elephants is Egypt in a heavyweight quarter-final. If the champions want back-to-back titles, their wide play and set pieces will need to stay sharp.

“If Amad keeps cooking, who stops the Elephants on their left flank?”

Algeria grind it out, and a late hero speaks for the team

Algeria needed extra time to beat DR Congo, and they found their hero at the end. Adil Boulbina scored in the 118th minute for a 1-0 win. His words told the story: “First of all, thank God. Congratulations to Algeria and to the fans. I came onto the pitch late and score but it is a collective effort and not about me.”

That late strike sets up a blockbuster quarter-final: Algeria vs Nigeria. One team is patient and resilient. The other is flying in attack. It feels like a classic clash of styles where the final pass could decide it.

The bracket: four big ties, no big upsets

There are no shock names in the last eight. The quarter-finalists are the strongest teams on form and ranking, which adds to the drama because every tie feels like a final. The confirmed fixtures:

• Mali vs Senegal
• Cameroon vs Morocco
• Algeria vs Nigeria
• Egypt vs Côte d’Ivoire

Morocco, the hosts, have the tournament’s top scorer so far in Brahim Díaz on four goals. They meet Cameroon in a tie full of history and pressure. With the stadiums rocking in Marrakech, Rabat and Agadir, the atmosphere will push every team to their limit.

Why assists will decide the quarter-finals

In tight knockout games, the first touch and the final pass matter most. That is why the assist race tells us who is in control. Lookman’s sharp runs and vision have given Nigeria a cutting edge. Mané’s calm playmaking keeps Senegal steady when games get tense.

Keep an eye on the “secondary” creators too. Iwobi’s tempo, Akor Adams’s link-up play, and Anis Hadj-Moussa’s service could swing a tie. A single smart cut-back or a clever through ball could be the moment everyone remembers.

What to watch next

• Set pieces: Corners and free-kicks are gold in tight games.
• Wide overloads: Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire use quick overlaps to create cut-backs.
• Super subs: Fresh legs and a fresh mind can deliver the key assist late on.
• Star focus: Can Mané and Lookman keep their cool when it matters most?

AFCON 2025 has been full of speed and power, but the story right now is about brains and bravery in the final third. The best creators are calm under pressure. They see the game one pass ahead. As the quarter-finals start, the player who makes that one perfect pass may be the one we talk about for years.

For now, the scoreboard of setups reads: Lookman 4, Mané 4. The next 90 minutes will decide who stays on top — and whose team stays alive.