Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sat 27 December 2025 7:00, UK

Premier League stars are already firing for their African nations in the early stages of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was among a host of players to travel for AFCON, which is being hosted by Morocco.

Sunderland are among the worst-hit Premier League teams by AFCON, with several players, including record signing Habib Diarra, joining up with their nations.

The first matches of the group stages have already taken place, with the knockouts to start next week and the final to be played on January 18.

Here, Football Insider tells you how your favourite stars are getting on so far.

Manchester United – Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo

Morocco are the favourites to win AFCON, and they got off to a superb start when they beat Comoros in the opening game.

Manchester United‘s Noussair Mazraoui claimed the assist for Brahim Diaz’s opener, bringing the ball down well and sliding across for the Real Madrid man.

It was a similar story for Amad Diallo and holders Ivory Coast, who rode out 1-0 winners over Mozambique in their first match.

The Manchester United winger got the goal, smashing home inside the box to give his nation a winning start.

It was a highly successful start for all three of the Red Devils’ representatives, in fact, with Bryan Mbeumo also claiming an assist for Karl Etta Eyong‘s winner against Gabon.

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah

Salah is expected to address his Liverpool future when he returns from AFCON, but for now, he is focused on leading his team to glory in Morocco.

The 33-year-old scored a 91st-minute winner for Egypt in their opening game, handing them a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe.

It was a tidy finish from Salah, who controlled the ball before finding the bottom corner on the half volley.

Manchester City – Omar Marmoush

While Salah’s goal was the winner, Manchester City‘s Omar Marmoush can undoubtedly claim the moment of the game.

With his side behind, the 26-year-old picked up the ball in the left half-space and drove into the box.

As Zimbabwe prepared for a cut-back, Marmoush instead went directly for goal, smashing the ball over the goalkeeper and into the roof of the net.

Burnley – Lyle Foster, Hannibal Mejbri

Positive moments have been hard to come by in the Premier League this season for Burnley striker Lyle Foster, but he certainly would have enjoyed South Africa’s opening win over Angola.

The 25-year-old netted the winner with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, leading his side to a 2-1 win.

The winning starts for Premier League players did not stop there, either, with Hannibal Mejbri claiming the assist for Ellyes Skhiri’s early header as Tunisia beat Uganda 3-1.

Fulham – Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey

Fulham‘s Nigerian duo Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey were in action as the Super Eagles beat Tanzania 2-1 in their first game of their quest for AFCON redemption.

Eric Chelle’s side failed to qualify for the World Cup, and are now looking to prove themselves with glory in Morocco.

The star of the show was Iwobi, who put in a perfect cross for Semi Ajayi’s opening goal in the 36th minute.

And the Fulham midfielder would provide the winner, too, playing a short pass for former Everton winger Ademola Lookman‘s spectacular drive.

Sunderland and Brentford – Arthur Masuaku, Dango Ouattara

Sunderland have been dreading the loss of Noah Sadiki to DR Congo for AFCON, but it was defender Arthur Masuaku who made the difference in their opening game.

The left-back’s long ball was missed by Benin defender Yohan Roche, allowing Theo Bongonda to place it into the bottom corner for the deciding goal.

Brentford‘s Dango Ouattara found the assist for the first of two stoppage-time goals as Burkina Faso completed an extraordinary comeback victory over Equatorial Guinea.

Georgi Minoungou scored from the winger’s touch before Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba found the winner in the eighth minute of stoppage time.