Who is the oldest player in AFCON 2025? Meet the 10 oldest goal scorers in AFCON history

The dust has settled in Morocco, but the debates regarding tactical masterclasses and individual brilliance continue to trend. While many headlines focused on rising starlets, Livescorecz noticed a compelling narrative regarding the "Old Guard." 

Mozambique, despite a challenging campaign, left a significant mark by contributing two of the five oldest players in the tournament. Remarkably, their captain and leader has already crossed the 42-year milestone, proving that age is merely a statistic in elite competition. 

Below, we introduce you to the oldest player in AFCON 2025 and look back at the ten legendary veterans who defied time to find the back of the net in the history of this prestigious competition.

The oldest player in AFCON 2025

When the team sheets were finalized for the tournament in Morocco, one name stood out not just for his reputation, but for his staggering longevity: Elias Pelembe, affectionately known as "Dominguês." 

At 42 years old, the Mozambique captain officially became the oldest player in AFCON 2025 and the oldest outfield player to ever grace the competition. Born in 1983, the ageless winger currently ply his trade for UD Songo in the Mozambican domestic league, but his career journey reads like a roadmap of Southern African football excellence.

Dominguês is a true icon of the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL), where he enjoyed his most prominent years. His peak period saw him starring for giants such as SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Bidvest Wits. Known for his exceptional dribbling flair, tactical intelligence, and creative vision, he amassed multiple PSL titles, including being a central figure in Sundowns' dominance. 

In 2017, he famously provided the assist for the goal that clinched the league title for Bidvest Wits. On the international stage, Pelembe has earned over 116 caps for the "Mambas," a national record that underscores his commitment. Though he has never won a collective trophy with the national team, his individual accolades, including being named the PSL Player of the Season in 2007/08, cement his status as a legend.

During AFCON 2025, Dominguês proved he wasn't just a guest of honor. He remained an essential tactical pillar for coach Chiquinho Conde, starting and competing in all 4 matches Mozambique played. 

He led his team through a gritty group stage to reach the Round of 16, where they eventually fell 0-4 to a powerhouse Nigeria side. His ability to maintain such high physical standards at 42 is a testament to his professional discipline, serving as a vital mentor to the younger Mozambican squad members.

From Hassan to Poté: The top 10 oldest scorers in AFCON history

While Pelembe dominated the headlines for participation, the history of AFCON is also defined by those who maintained their clinical edge well into their late 30s. The record for the oldest goalscorer is held by the legendary Egyptian striker Hossam Hassan. 

During AFCON 2006, in a quarter-final clash where Egypt defeated DR Congo -1 on February 3, 2006, Hassan scored at the age of 39 years, 5 months, and 24 days. In that tournament, he played 3 matches and scored 1 goal, helping the Pharaohs lift the trophy. Hassan's career was legendary, spanning 7 AFCON tournaments with 168 caps and 68 goals for Egypt. He was a superstar at Al Ahly and Zamalek, winning over 40 trophies before retiring in 2008 at age 41.

Following him is Zambia's Kalusha Bwalya, who scored in a 2-2 draw against Senegal in 2000 at age 36. Bwalya, a former African Footballer of the Year and PSV Eindhoven star, retired in 2004. 

The third spot belongs to Roger Milla, who famously scored against Nigeria in 1988 at 35 years old. Milla, an icon of Montpellier and Saint-Étienne, eventually retired at 44. Other notable entries include the great George Weah (Liberia), who scored against Mali in 2002 at 35, and Ima Andriatsima (Madagascar), who netted during their historic 2019 run at 35 years old. 

The list continues with Daniel Cousin (Gabon) scoring against Morocco in 2012, and the iconic Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) scoring his final AFCON goal against Algeria in 2013 at nearly 35. Rounding out the top ten are Moubarak Boussoufa (Morocco), Ziad Tlemcani (Tunisia), and Mickaël Poté (Benin), who all struck at the age of 34 during various editions of the tournament.

The 10 oldest goal scorers in AFCON history:

Hossam Hassan (Egypt): 39 years, 5 months, 24 days

Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia): 36 years, 5 months, 17 days

Roger Milla (Cameroon): 35 years, 9 months, 26 days

George Weah (Liberia): 35 years, 3 months, 19 days

Ima Andriatsima (Madagascar): 35 years, 1 month, 4 days

Daniel Cousin (Gabon): 34 years, 11 months, 20 days

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast): 34 years, 10 months, 19 days

Moubarak Boussoufa (Morocco): 34 years, 10 months, 16 days

Ziad Tlemcani (Tunisia): 34 years, 9 months, 6 days

Mickaël Poté (Benin): 34 years, 9 months, 1 day

Livescorecz.net has just revealed the fascinating details regarding the oldest player in AFCON 2025 and the veteran strikers who have etched their names into the record books. If you want to stay updated with the latest football news, gain unique perspectives through in-depth analysis, and collect valuable statistics before every match, visit our homepage right here.