Football around the world is defined by moments. Africa Cup of Nations tournaments is no different. Goals that live beyond the group stage. Goals that go down in history. Are replayed tournament after tournament by broadcasters.
El Kaabi, on the opening night of the tournament. Has possibly scored the goal of the tournament for AFCON 2025.
Ayoub El Kaabi may already have delivered the defining image of the competition.
An overhead kick. From 18 yards. An acrobatic, act on instinct finish.
It was a goal that stunned the stadium. Then the continent. Possibly the world. The Striver.Football groups reaction was WHAT A GOAL! The response from the BBC Live Update feed, was What A Goal.
Every fan in the stadium stood and applauded.
This was not instinct alone. It was audacity. He floated into the box with the ball dropping awkwardly, El Kaabi adjusted his body in a split second. He launched himself backwards and met the ball perfectly. The strike flew past the goalkeeper. Who could only watch. Before anyone could process what they had just seen.
From that distance, with that technique, under that pressure, this was elite execution.
You do not see goals like this often. You certainly do not see them in opening games of major tournaments. But when they happen they go down in history.
AFCON is famous for moments of brilliance. This one arrived immediately. The technique. The difficulty. The setting. All boxes ticked.
It will be discussed for weeks. Compared to iconic AFCON strikes from years gone by. Shown on highlight reels across continents. There is a genuine argument that this could already be the goal of the tournament.
Some will go further. Given the distance and precision, it may stand as the best goal scored anywhere this year so far.
For Morocco, this was not just an opener. It was a statement. Calm build up football followed by a moment of outrageous quality. A reminder that this side blends structure with flair.
Since their World Cup breakthrough, expectations have changed. Morocco now arrive as contenders, not surprises. El Kaabi’s goal reflected that confidence. No fear. No hesitation. Just belief.
Opening matches are often cautious. Nervous. Measured. This was none of those things. El Kaabi tore up the script with one swing of his body.
Morocco took control. The tournament found its first iconic moment. AFCON had its spark.
Every stunning goal that follows will now be measured against this one. Every bicycle kick replayed with this moment in mind. That is the mark of a truly great strike.
AFCON has only just begun. But Ayoub El Kaabi may already have delivered its defining image.
If this is the standard, the rest of the tournament has a lot to live up to. If that is not a reason to check into Channel 4 coverage of AFCON nothing is.
