ONLY 16 GAMES LEFT: SEE WHICH FIVE STARS WILL DOMINATE THE AFCON KNOCKOUTS
The AFCON 2025 group stage is over! Discover the five stars, from Brahim Diaz to Sadio Mane, set to ignite the Round of 16 in Morocco.
That’s it for the group stage—36 matches down at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with 87 goals on the board and eight teams already packing their bags. Now only 16 games stand between us and the big finale on January 18. The Round of 16 kicks off this Saturday.
Let’s talk about five players who really lit things up in the group stage:
Brahim Diaz
Brahim Diaz has turned into the heartbeat of Moroccan football. The Real Madrid midfielder zipped around the pitch, scoring in all three group games, always in the thick of things. It’s not just his goals, though. He keeps defenders guessing, pressures them into mistakes, and sets up his teammates left and right. If Morocco wants to win this trophy at home, they’ll need Diaz, all 26 years of him, to keep running the show.
Ayoub El Kaabi
Ayoub El Kaabi has a flair for the spectacular. His overhead kicks are something else, and he’s been showing off that skill both for Morocco and Olympiakos. Even though he didn’t start the first match, the 32-year-old made up for lost time—three goals in three games, matching Diaz and Riyad Mahrez at the top of the scoring charts. As Morocco heads into the knockouts, El Kaabi looks set to play a huge role.
Ibrahim Maza
Ibrahim Maza, just 20 and already wearing Algerian colours after representing Germany at the youth level, has made a real impression. Algerian fans love his energy, his ability to link up play, and his fearless attacks. When he scored against Equatorial Guinea at the end of the first round, the crowd went wild. He’s got star potential written all over him.
Victor Osimhen
Nobody doubts Victor Osimhen’s threat up front for Nigeria. Sure, he misses some chances—sometimes it drives fans (and himself) a little crazy—but he’s constantly working defenders, creating space for teammates like Ademola Lookman. Osimhen, now 27, could be the driving force that takes the Super Eagles all the way in Morocco.
Sadio Mané
People wondered if Sadio Mane’s time with Senegal was winding down, especially with so much young talent coming up. Turns out, he’s not going anywhere. In his sixth Cup of Nations, Mane, now 33, still inspires the Lions of Teranga. His surges down the left wing are still central to Senegal’s attack.
EXCLUSIVE: AJAX AND SCHALKE LAUNCH BIDS FOR OUT-OF-CONTRACT RANGERS MIDFIELDER BAILEY RICE NOW
Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice is a top target for Ajax and Schalke. Get the latest on his contract status and potential summer exit.
Ajax and Schalke are chasing Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice, with both clubs working to seal a deal for the 19-year-old, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Rangers just wrapped up a training camp in Spain, gearing up for a crucial five-game stretch to go for the league title after the split earlier this month. Their run-in starts with Motherwell at home on Sunday, then a massive trip to face league leaders Hearts at Tynecastle next weekend.
After that comes the season’s final Old Firm showdown against Celtic at Parkhead on May 10, before closing out with Hibernian and Falkirk, who are the lowest-ranked teams in the split, having finished fifth and sixth.
This summer looks set for big changes at Rangers, and Rice is right at the centre of it. Romano reported on X that both Ajax and Schalke want to sign Rice as a free agent. The young Scottish midfielder is out of contract this summer. Talks over a new deal with Rangers haven’t worked out, so he’s weighing up his next move. Schalke reportedly already made him a personal offer, and Premier League side Aston Villa had also been linked with him earlier this year.
Rice has barely featured for Rangers this season after suffering a serious training injury that needed surgery; he’s only played a handful of minutes.
As for the rest of the squad, Rangers look set for another overhaul. After a busy transfer window last summer and more signings in January, things don’t seem to be slowing down. Manager Rohl has made do with what he has, but the club’s owners, the 49ers, are ready to back a ‘major recruitment drive’ this summer. Their aim? Knock Celtic off the top and keep Hearts from breaking up the Old Firm grip on Scottish football.
Nobody knows just how many players could come in yet, but it’s clear the owners are serious about shaking things up at Ibrox.
CARLO ANCELOTTI ISSUES TWO-MONTH WORLD CUP ULTIMATUM TO SANTOS STAR NEYMAR
Carlo Ancelotti confirms Neymar has two months to prove his fitness for the 2026 World Cup. Read the full Selecao update.
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Everyone’s talking about Neymar again as the 2026 World Cup edges closer. It’s the same old debate: does he still have a spot with Brazil? But this time there’s real hope on the table. Carlo Ancelotti’s left the door open for Neymar to make the cut. Even though Neymar hasn’t made the latest squads, he’s obviously still on the minds of the Selecao coaches.
Here’s the situation: Neymar's been battling injuries since he tore his ACL. He missed the season’s first 10 games after knee surgery last December. He got back on the field, but fitness issues and a suspension meant he still watched from the sidelines quite a bit. Still, Ancelotti isn’t ruling him out. In an interview with L’Equipe, Ancelotti emphasised Neymar’s reputation but also made something very clear: if Neymar wants the World Cup, he needs to earn it.
Talent isn't a question; nobody doubts Neymar’s skill. What matters for Ancelotti is being fit. No exceptions, no matter how big the star. “Neymar can come back. I’ve said it before, and it’s simple: only physically ready players get called up,” Ancelotti said flat-out. “His recovery from the knee injury is going well; he’s scoring again. He just needs to keep pushing and get fitter. He’s headed in the right direction.”
With 79 goals in 128 matches, Neymar has shaped Brazil’s football history. Ancelotti gets that fans want to see Neymar try one more time for the one trophy he’s never won. “Neymar belongs to Brazil’s football story. He’s hugely talented, so obviously people hope he’ll help us win the next World Cup. Right now, he’s under assessment not just by the CBF but by me, too. He’s got two months left to show he has what it takes for the World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
Neymar’s chance to prove himself is coming fast, with big matches for Santos ahead. He’s expected to start this Saturday when they face Atlético-MG at Vila Belmiro. If Neymar stays healthy and sharp, that final World Cup dream is still alive.
