Tag: AFCON

AFCON 2025 delivered a tense round of fixtures on Friday, 26 December, with tight margins and shared points across the board. Egypt were the only side to secure a win, booking their place in the knockout rounds, while Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Comoros, Morocco, and Mali all finished level in their fixtures.

The results set up a dramatic finish to the group stage as qualification battles grow tighter.

Angola 1–1 Zimbabwe

Angola and Zimbabwe opened the day with a competitive draw that keeps both sides alive in Group B.

A goal from Gelson Dala gave Angola an early advantage, but Knowledge Musona restored balance before halftime with a composed finish. Both teams pushed for a winner late on, but neither found the breakthrough.

Egypt 1–0 South Africa

Egypt were the only team to claim all three points, grinding out a 1–0 victory to become the first confirmed qualifiers from their group.

Mohamed Salah scored from the penalty spot to give the Pharaohs the lead, and despite late pressure from South Africa, Egypt defended confidently to protect the result.

Egypt hit 6 points and are through to the knockout stage.

Zambia 0–0 Comoros

Zambia and Comoros shared points in a match defined by defensive discipline rather than attacking clarity.

Zambia controlled more possession, but Comoros stayed organised and compact, frustrating the build-up and limiting clear chances. 

Morocco 1–1 Mali

Two penalties decided the night’s headline fixture as Brahim Díaz and Lassine Sinayoko both converted from the spot in a tense draw.

Díaz struck first for Morocco, calmly placing his penalty into the corner to give the hosts the lead. Mali responded later with Sinayoko stepping up and firing home to level the match. The final stages were cagey, with neither side willing to risk losing the pointt. Now leaving the group remains unpredictable.

The first round of AFCON 2025 delivered moments of brilliance, drama, and early statement performances. As the dust settles on Matchday 1, CAF has recognized the standout performers with the official TotalEnergies Men of the Match awards; a snapshot of players who not only influenced results but also left a mark on the opening chapter of Africa’s premier tournament.

Here’s a breakdown of the Players of the Match from the opening 12 fixtures across Groups A–F:

Morocco vs Comoros — Brahim Díaz

Morocco opened their campaign with a controlled 2–0 win over Comoros. Brahim Díaz impressed with his composure and attacking intelligence, orchestrating Morocco’s forward play and constantly threatening the Comoros defense.

Mali vs Zambia — Lassine Sinayoko

A 1–1 stalemate saw Mali earn a hard-fought point against Zambia. Lassine Sinayoko stood out, linking midfield and attack seamlessly, providing the creativity that kept Mali competitive until the final whistle.

South Africa vs Angola — Lyle Foster

South Africa edged Angola 2–1 in a tightly contested match. Lyle Foster’s pace and incisive runs proved decisive, earning him the nod as the match’s standout contributor.

Egypt vs Zimbabwe — Omar Marmoush

Egypt’s 2–1 win over Zimbabwe was marked by sharp attacking movements, with Omar Marmoush constantly finding pockets of space. His pressing, vision, and ability to unlock the Zimbabwean defense made him an undeniable pick for Player of the Match.

DR Congo vs Benin — Théo Bongonda

In a low-scoring 1–0 encounter, Théo Bongonda delivered a performance that proved the difference for DR Congo. His direct runs, skill, and decisive link-up play created the winning edge.

Senegal vs Botswana — Nicholas Jackson

Senegal’s 3–0 demolition of Botswana had Nicholas Jackson at the heart of every dangerous move. Jackson’s control of the midfield and relentless energy set the tone for Senegal’s commanding display.

Nigeria vs Tanzania — Semi Ajayi

Nigeria’s opening 2–1 victory over Tanzania highlighted defensive solidity paired with attacking threat. Semi Ajayi’s leadership at the back and timely interventions made him an instant game-changer for the Super Eagles.

Tunisia vs Uganda — Elias Achouri

Tunisia secured a 3–1 win against Uganda, with Elias Achouri’s influence felt across all attacking phases. His movement, vision, and link-up play consistently stretched Uganda’s defense.

Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea — Edmond Tapsoba

Burkina Faso’s 2–1 win was a blend of resilience and efficiency. Edmond Tapsoba anchored the defense while initiating crucial transitions, earning him well-deserved recognition.

Algeria vs Sudan — Riyad Mahrez

Algeria’s 3–0 win over Sudan saw Riyad Mahrez in vintage form. His dribbling, creativity, and occasional magic on the ball kept the Sudanese defense on high alert, demonstrating why he remains a key figure for Les Fennecs.

Ivory Coast vs Mozambique — Amad Diallo

A slender 1–0 victory for Ivory Coast featured Amad Diallo’s clever positioning and decisive movement, constantly troubling Mozambique and setting up the lone goal that clinched all three points.

Cameroon vs Rwanda — Bryan Mbeumo

A 1–0 result and a performance that didn’t rely on volume just struggle for the best. Everything Mbeumo did had consequence: first touch, transition choices, final-third awareness. Cameroon needed leadership in execution, not speeches. He provided it with a wonderful assist for  Karl Etta Eyong  that sealed the game. 

From attacking flair to defensive brilliance, the first round has already given fans a glimpse of Africa’s emerging talents and established stars in peak form.

Stay tuned for updates on the final Matchday 1 MOTM and deeper analysis of every standout performance from this AFCON edition.

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) served up another intense round of fixtures on December 24, as four nations Burkina Faso, Algeria, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon picked up crucial victories that immediately shift the tone of their group campaigns.

From late drama to composed finishes, the day highlighted how quickly momentum can change in tournament football.

Burkina Faso 2–1 Equatorial Guinea 

Burkina Faso produced the most dramatic moment of the day, sealing a 2–1 comeback win in the dying minutes. Equatorial Guinea looked set for all three points until the Stallions flipped the script in stoppage time.

A 95th-minute equaliser sparked the turnaround, before a towering late header completed the comeback. The result instantly places Burkina Faso among the teams to watch, not just for points but for mentality.

Algeria 3–0 Sudan

Algeria were the most dominant side of the matchday, claiming a 3–0 win over Sudan with confidence and control from start to finish.

A brace from Riyad Mahrez set the tempo, before a late third goal wrapped up the performance. Sudan struggled to contain Algeria’s midfield rotations and wide combinations, allowing the North African giants to start fast in their group.

Ivory Coast 1–0 Mozambique 

Reigning champions Ivory Coast opened their title defence with a 1–0 win against Mozambique, choosing efficiency over spectacle. The Elephants controlled key moments rather than the full tempo of the match, and a second-half strike made the difference.

Mozambique defended bravely and forced Ivory Coast into careful build-up play, but the champions’ composure in decisive moments held firm.

Cameroon 1–0 Gabon

Cameroon joined the winners’ column with a 1–0 win against Gabon, in a match defined by discipline rather than chaos. The Indomitable Lions capitalised on their best chance of the game and then managed the rhythm well enough to close out the result.

Gabon had opportunities of their own but lacked the precision needed in the final third.

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 continued with a packed matchday as Senegal, Nigeria, DR Congo, and Tunisia all picked up important victories, further shaping the early group-stage.

From dominant displays to hard-fought wins, the day’s action highlighted the competitiveness already defining the tournament.

Senegal vs Botswana

Senegal produced one of the most convincing performances of the day, defeating Botswana 3–0 in their Group D opener.

Nicolas Jackson led the charge with two goals, while Chérif Ndiaye added a late third to complete a comfortable win. Senegal controlled the match throughout and quickly established themselves as early favourites in the group.

Nigeria vs Tanzania in Tight Group C Clash

The Super Eagles of Nigeria opened their AFCON 2025 campaign with a 2–1 win over Tanzania in a closely contested Group C encounter.

Nigeria took the lead through Semi Ajayi, but Tanzania responded to level the score and push the match into a tense battle. The decisive moment arrived in the second half when Ademola Lookman scored the winner, securing all three points for the Super Eagles.

DR Congo Narrow Victory Over Benin

In Group D, DR Congo claimed a vital 1–0 victory against Benin in a match decided by fine margins.

An early strike from Théo Bongonda proved enough, as the Leopards remained disciplined defensively to protect their lead and claim maximum points.

Tunisia vs Uganda 3–1 Win

Tunisia completed the day’s action with an impressive 3–1 victory over Uganda in Group C.

The Carthage Eagles showed attacking intent and control, scoring three times to overwhelm Uganda despite resistance from the Cranes. The result gives Tunisia a strong start and places them level on points with Nigeria in the group standings.

As AFCON 2025 continues, attention now turns to the next round of group fixtures, where consistency and squad depth will be tested.

Egypt opened their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 campaign with a 2–1 victory over Zimbabwe in a high-intensity Group B clash at the Stade Adrar in Agadir. The Pharaohs showcased resilience and tactical discipline to come from behind and secure all three points.

The match started with Zimbabwe taking the game to the seven-time champions. In the 20th minute, Prince Dube capitalized on a defensive lapse to give the Warriors a surprising early lead. The goal energized Zimbabwe, forcing Egypt to adjust and push forward.

Despite early pressure, Egypt struggled to break through Zimbabwe’s organized defence. Their persistence paid off in the 64th minute, when Omar Marmoush produced a composed finish to bring the Pharaohs back on level terms. The equalizer shifted momentum, giving Egypt confidence to control the rest of the match.

As Zimbabwe searched for a second goal, Egypt struck on the counter in the 82nd minute. Mohamed Salah delivered a decisive finish, sending the Egyptian fans into celebration and ultimately sealing the win. After taking the lead.

Final Score

Egypt 2–1 Zimbabwe

Goals: Prince Dube (20’) – Zimbabwe | Omar Marmoush (64’), Mohamed Salah (82’) – Egypt

Mali and Zambia played out a thrilling 1–1 draw in their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Group A match at the Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca. The game was a mix of tactical battles, late drama, and moments of individual brilliance.

The first half ended goalless, with both sides cautious but creating glimpses of attacking potential. Mali’s persistence paid off in the 61st minute when Lassine Sinayoko capitalized on a corner, heading the ball past the Zambian goalkeeper to give the Eagles the lead.

After scoring, Mali controlled possession and looked comfortable, but Zambia was far from done.

Zambia showed tremendous resilience and refused to settle for defeat. Their efforts were rewarded in stoppage time, as Patson Daka rose above the defense to head in a dramatic equalizer. The goal stunned Mali and sparked celebrations for Zambia, salvaging a crucial point from a challenging game.

Key Takeaways

• Mali dominated possession and looked dangerous on the break, but finishing let them down in crucial moments.
• Zambia’s late equalizer highlights their fighting spirit and ability to capitalize on mistakes.
• Both teams will now look to build on this result as they continue their Group A campaigns, knowing every point counts in the race for the knockout stages.

Final Score

Mali 1–1 Zambia

Goals: Lassine Sinayoko (61’) – Mali | Patson Daka (90+3’) – Zambia