AFCON 2025 is down to the sharp end in Morocco, and the Golden Boot chase has become the tournament’s loudest drumbeat. Host nation star Brahim Díaz has his nose in front, but the gap is not safe. Two heavyweights are closing fast as Egypt, under the hard-edged clarity of Hossam Hassan, drive on toward the semis.

CAF’s official scorers list after the quarter-finals confirms the picture: Díaz sits on five goals, with Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah one back on four apiece. Behind them, a talented pack at three keeps the pressure high.

AFCON 2025 Golden Boot: Díaz ahead, Osimhen and Salah in pursuit

Morocco’s 2–0 quarter-final win over Cameroon in Rabat told the story again. Díaz scored first; Ismael Saibari sealed it. CAF hailed Díaz’s “perfect scoring run” and called him “the tournament’s most reliable attacking threat.” He has been the spearhead and the spark for the hosts.

Yet the race is very alive. Osimhen and Salah moved to four goals after Nigeria and Egypt won their respective quarter-finals on Saturday, per CAF. With both sides advancing, the top-scorer subplot now threads directly into the title pathway.

“If Díaz scores again at home, who stops Morocco?”

Egypt’s unbeaten run and Salah’s record chase

Hassan’s Egypt have been steady and cold-blooded. In the group stage, they came from behind to beat Zimbabwe 2–1 with a late Salah strike, edged South Africa 1–0 in a controlled game (Salah again decisive), and drew 0–0 with Angola after rotating, with top spot already secured.

In the Round of 16, Egypt were pushed by Benin but won 3–1 after extra time. Marwan Attia scored first, Jodel Dossou equalised late, and Egypt responded in extra time through Yasser Ibrahim and Salah. That win booked a last-eight spot; CAF then confirmed a quarter-final victory on Saturday in which Salah scored again to reach four for the tournament.

There was a setback: left-back Mohamed Hamdy suffered an ACL injury and will miss the quarter-final phase and beyond. Even so, Egypt’s campaign is already a step up from AFCON 2023, when they exited in the Round of 16.

The story around Salah carries extra weight. His goal versus Benin took him to 66 for the national team, closing on Hossam Hassan’s long-standing Egypt record of 68. The captain chasing the coach’s mark while both hunt the same trophy is a neat twist only a tournament like AFCON can deliver.

Hossam Hassan’s tactical creed: win first, together always

Hassan has been clear from day one about his method. “Everyone in the Egyptian national team already has a winning mentality,” he told CAF. “We will do everything possible to reach the top and lift the trophy again this year.”

His plan is simple and strict. Effort is non-negotiable. Unity is the base. “We work together as a team and the players fight for each other,” he said. He has also shifted the tone: less reliance on one moment of magic, more focus on collective control and game management. The 1–0 over South Africa was a perfect snapshot of that.

Respect for rivals is a theme he repeats. “There are no easy teams in Africa,” he said after the Benin tie. “I respect all teams but as Egypt, we always aim to win and fight for the title.” He speaks openly about pressure, too: Egypt are “African giants” with seven AFCONs, and he’s keeping the group steady under that weight.

He also tipped his cap to the organisers. “I thank CAF and its committees for their work in developing the tournament,” Hassan said, adding that Morocco’s organisational power would deliver an exceptional edition. Above all, he returned to the reason: “Our people deserve this.”

“This Egypt looks less flashy, more ruthless — perfect for knockouts.”

Why the scoring race shapes the title fight

AFCON titles often follow the hot boots. Díaz’s goals are carrying the hosts; he’s the tip of a sharp Moroccan attack that thrives under the home lights. Nigeria’s quarter-final win plus Osimhen’s form give the Super Eagles a clear edge in the box. Egypt’s tighter, calmer games lean on Salah to finish the one or two big chances they craft each night.

Behind the top three, the chasers matter, too. Ademola Lookman and Ayoub El Kaabi sit on three and can flip a tight semi-final with a single strike. Amad Diallo, Riyad Mahrez, and Lassine Sinayoko are all within one game of joining the leaders. One purple patch now could decide both an individual award and a national story.

The semi-final cast is taking shape. Morocco are through; Senegal edged Mali 1–0 on the same evening, and CAF reports Egypt and Nigeria also won their quarter-finals on Saturday. No one is running away with the tournament — and that’s exactly why the Golden Boot race feels tied to the trophy.

“Salah chasing Hassan’s record while coached by Hassan? Football poetry.”

AFCON 2025 top scorers after the quarter-finals

CAF’s update lays it out clearly:

• 5 goals: Brahim Díaz (Morocco)
• 4 goals: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria); Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
• 3 goals: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria); Amad Diallo (Côte d’Ivoire); Riyad Mahrez (Algeria); Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco); Lassine Sinayoko (Mali)
• 2 goals (examples): Bazoumana Touré (Côte d’Ivoire); Chérif Ndiaye (Senegal); Christian Kofane (Cameroon); Elias Achouri (Tunisia); Gaël Kakuta (DR Congo); Geny Catamo (Mozambique); Ibrahim Maza (Algeria); Iyle Foster (South Africa); Nicolas Jackson (Senegal); Oswin Appollis (South Africa); Pape Gueye (Senegal); Raphael Onyedika (Nigeria); Akor Adams (Nigeria)
• Plus 61 players on one goal across the tournament

What’s next

The margins are thin now. If Díaz keeps scoring in front of home fans, Morocco’s run only grows stronger. If Osimhen or Salah catch fire, the Golden Boot could swing their nations into the final. Egypt’s calm, team-first plan under Hossam Hassan is built for these moments. The eighth star hunt is alive, and so is the race for the crown and the crown of goals.