Moroccan playmaker Brahim Díaz joins the elite list of scorers of AFCON's opening goals

Moroccan playmaker Brahim Díaz etched his name into football history by scoring the opening goal of AFCON 2025 on Sunday evening.

This moment not only exemplified his notable prowess on the pitch but also saw him join an exclusive group of legendary footballers, including Marc-Vivien Foé (Cameroon, 2000) and George Weah (Liberia, 2002).

In a thrilling start to the 35th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the atmosphere at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat was electrifying. The sell-out crowd of 53,000 fans witnessed a spectacular opening ceremony.

The event showcased a vibrant blend of music, dance, and cultural symbolism, setting a firm tone as Morocco prepared to face Comoros in a clash that would kick off a month-long celebration of African football.

History has often favoured host nations in the opening matches of AFCON, and Díaz led Morocco's charge with an early second-half goal. Typically, hosts win their opening games.

Of the 34 previous tournaments, only one saw the host nation miss the opening game: in 1970, Cameroon and the Ivory Coast faced off in Sudan. Given that tradition, excitement was palpable as local fans cheered on their team.

 Díaz, who finished as the top scorer in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers with a remarkable seven goals in 4 matches, demonstrated why he has become a pivotal player for Morocco. His opening strike came in a game where the pressure was intense; the roar of the crowd surely fuelled his performance, turning the stadium into a cauldron of exhilaration.

A look at the list of opening goalscorers in the AFCON since 2000 shows that Díaz's name now proudly joins the ranks of those who have opened the tournament with a bang.

The illustrious list includes:

2000 – Marc-Vivien Foé (Cameroon)

2002 – George Weah (Liberia)

2004 – Ziad Jaziri (Tunisia)

2006 – Mido (Egypt)

2008 – Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)

2010 – Flávio (Angola)

2012 – Javier Balboa (Equatorial Guinea)

2013 – Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Ghana)

2015 – Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea)

2017 – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)

2019 – Trézéguet (Egypt)

2021 – Gustavo Sangaré (Burkina Faso)

2023 – Seko Fofana (Ivory Coast)

2025 – Brahim Díaz (Morocco)