Golden Boot Race Heats Up As Osimhen Closes Up Díaz 5-Goal Lead

Golden Boot Race Heats Up As Osimhen Closes Up Díaz 5-Goal Lead

By Niyi Busari 

Super Eagles talisman Victor Osimhen has closed up the goal gap after recording his fourth goal against Algeria closing up Brahim Diaz five goals, BSNSports .com.ng reports.

Brahim Díaz strengthened his hold on to the Golden Boot race at the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations after finding the net once again to guide hosts Morocco into the semi-finals.

The Real Madrid winger scored in Morocco’s 2–0 quarter-final victory over Cameroon on Friday night in Rabat, continuing a prolific run that has made him the tournament’s standout attacking performer. Earlier in the day.

Close behind Díaz is Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, who has scored four goals at the tournament. The Super Eagles striker was instrumental in Nigeria’s 2–0 quarter-final win over Algeria on Saturday night, scoring once and providing an assist for Akor Adams.

Osimhen’s form has powered Nigeria to 12 goals overall, making them the tournament’s highest-scoring team so far. His partnership with Ademola Lookman has been widely regarded as the most effective forward combination at AFCON 2025.

The race for the top scorer’s award remains competitive, with a group of seven players tied on three goals. The list includes Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, Côte d’Ivoire winger Amad Diallo, Egypt captain Mohamed Salah, Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, Morocco striker Ayoub El Kaabi, Mali forward Lassine Sinayoko, and others still hoping to close the gap as the tournament enters its decisive phase.

Several players are also locked on two goals apiece, representing a wide range of nations either still competing or recently eliminated. In total, 61 players have scored exactly once at AFCON 2025, underlining both the depth of attacking talent and the competitive balance of the tournament.

AFCON 2025 Top Scorers (After Quarter-Finals)

5 goals

Brahim Díaz (Morocco)

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

3 goals

Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)

Amad Diallo (Côte d’Ivoire)

Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco)

Lassine Sinayoko (Mali)

Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

2 goals

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 with one goal each at AFCON 2025.