As the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 concluded, the tournament's narrative wasn't just about emerging talent—it was also a celebration of enduring class.
Two veteran forwards, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Emilio Nsue, carved their names into the history books by becoming some of the oldest goalscorers the competition has ever seen.
Their crucial group-stage strikes reinforced a timeless AFCON truth: experience is just as decisive as youth.
The record remains untouched by Egyptian icon Hossam Hassan, who scored at 39 years and 5 months during Egypt's 2006 title-winning campaign. Now coaching Egypt in Morocco, his legacy set a towering benchmark.
Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang climbed to second all-time at 36 years and 6 months. His clinical first-half stoppage-time finish against Mozambique was a testament to a striker's instinct that time hasn't diminished.
He edged past another legend, Zambia’s Kalusha Bwalya, who held the spot for years after scoring at 36 years and 5 months in the 2000 tournament.
Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue then joined this exclusive club at 36 years and 3 months, netting in his side's final match against Algeria to secure his own piece of AFCON history.
These moments transcend statistics. They represent leadership, composure under pressure, and the profound intelligence that only years on the pitch can provide. In a tournament famed for its intensity, the calmness of a veteran can be the difference between chaos and control.
As the knockout stages begin, the exploits of Aubameyang and Nsue serve as a powerful reminder: at AFCON, while legs may tire, the value of a wise head and a sharp instinct only grows with time.
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