Ibrahim Maza Shatters CAN 2025: Algeria's Rising Star Lights Up Morocco
31 December 2025
The Algerian star shines at CAN 2025.
Performance and impact
Ibrahim Maza, Bayern Leverkusen's rising star, has broken through in Morocco and established himself as Algeria's bright hope after a standout showing against Equatorial Guinea in the final group game of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, becoming a pivotal figure in Algeria's ascent.
Algeria sealed the group with a perfect record, defeating Equatorial Guinea 3-1 at Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, wrapping up Group 5.
This is Algeria's third consecutive group-stage win in CAN 2025, having already qualified for the knockout rounds, where they will meet DR Congo.
Opta notes that Maza, now 20, became the first Algerian under-21 to play in all group matches in a CAN edition since Nabil Ben Taleb in 2015.
The Bayern Leverkusen forward also tops CAN 2025 for chances created, with eight.
The win marks Algeria's third group-stage win in CAN 2025, a feat achieved previously only in 1990 and 2019.
It's the first time since 2019 that Algeria has won three straight group matches in the tournament, after also recording four straight wins in 2019.
Punchline 1: If football were a final exam, Maza just earned an A+ in Can-do attacking.
Punchline 2: And if Algeria keeps this up, the trophy might start filing a petition for overtime.
