Salah Goals & Hakimi Return - Six Things from Afcon 2025's Group Stage

Mohamed Salah's scoring prowess lit up the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage, with the Liverpool forward netting crucial goals to propel Egypt forward. His clinical finishes underscored his enduring impact on the tournament, drawing comparisons to past Afcon heroics[1].

In a thrilling comeback, Achraf Hakimi returned to Morocco's lineup after injury, injecting pace and precision into their attacks. The PSG star's reappearance boosted fan hopes for a deep knockout run, highlighting his pivotal role in the Atlas Lions' campaign[1].

The group stage delivered surprise qualifiers, including Tanzania's unexpected advance from a tough pool alongside Tunisia. Despite limited firepower, their defensive resilience earned vital points, edging out Uganda[1]. Similarly, Sudan progressed from Group E, showcasing grit against stronger foes like Burkina Faso[1].

South Africa's solid showing in their group saw them top with 6 points, overcoming Angola and Zimbabwe to secure knockout spots. Their +1 goal difference proved decisive in a tightly contested section[1].

Cameroon's dominance was evident, topping their group unbeaten with 7 points and a +2 difference, as they dispatched Mozambique and Gabon. Burkina Faso also impressed, advancing with 6 points[1].

Benin's late surge in Group D clinched third-place progression on goal difference, a testament to the tournament's unpredictability. Matches kicked off from December 26, 2025, with Zambia, Comoros, and Angola featuring early[1].

Overall, the group phase blended star power, upsets, and drama, setting an electric tone for the knockouts. Salah and Hakimi's returns amplified the spotlight on Egypt and Morocco as favorites[1].

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