This milestone not only increases the continent’s representation but also raises hopes of going further than Morocco’s historic semi-final run in 2022.

The qualified African teams are Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Algeria, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde, South Africa, and DR Congo. Nine teams earned direct qualification as group winners, while DR Congo secured their spot through the intercontinental playoffs.

This expanded representation gives African teams a stronger platform to compete for top honors while also showcasing emerging talents on a global stage. Scouts, clubs, and fans worldwide will be watching closely, potentially opening doors for many players to secure moves to top leagues.

As expectations rise, African nations are not only aiming to participate but also to make a significant impact. With growing confidence and recent progress in international competitions, the dream of an African country lifting the World Cup trophy feels closer than ever.

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The knockout phase is set to kick off on Saturday, January 3, and run through Tuesday, January 6, with two matches scheduled daily at 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm (local time), according to details published on CAF’s official website on Wednesday.

The round of 16 will burst into life on Saturday as 2021 champions Senegal square up against Sudan at the Grand Stade de Tangier, marking the first do-or-die encounter of the tournament. Later that evening, Mali will lock horns with Tunisia in Casablanca, with Mali hoping to move closer to a maiden AFCON crown, while the North Africans aim to relive the glory of their lone triumph in 2004.

Attention will shift to Sunday, when host nation Morocco faces Tanzania at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat. The Atlas Lions topped Group A, while Tanzania snuck into the knockout phase as one of the best third-placed teams from Group C.

Sunday night promises fireworks as South Africa battle Cameroon in Rabat, a clash layered with intrigue as Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos comes up against the Indomitable Lions— the very team he guided to AFCON success in 2017.

Egypt and Nigeria Enter the Fray

On Monday, seven-time champions Egypt will take on Benin in Agadir as the Pharaohs continue their quest for a first AFCON title since 2010.

Later that night, Nigeria, one of the most impressive sides in the group stage, will face Mozambique at the Complexe Sportif de Fès. The Super Eagles will be eyeing a deep run as they seek to go one better than their silver-medal finish at AFCON 2023.

The Round of 16 will wrap up on Tuesday, with Algeria clashing against DR Congo in Rabat before defending champions Côte d’Ivoire take on Burkina Faso in Marrakech, closing what promises to be a thrilling opening knockout round.

CAF also confirmed that the quarter-finals will hold on January 9 and 10, while the grand finale is scheduled for January 18 at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

CAF AFCON MOROCCO 2025 – ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES

Saturday, January 3, 2026

• Senegal vs Sudan — 5:00 pm, Grand Stade de Tangier
• Mali vs Tunisia — 8:00 pm, Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca

Sunday, January 4, 2026

• Morocco vs Tanzania — 5:00 pm, Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat
• South Africa vs Cameroon — 8:00 pm, Stade Al Medina, Rabat

Monday, January 5, 2026

• Egypt vs Benin — 5:00 pm, Grand Stade de Agadir
• Nigeria vs Mozambique — 8:00 pm, Complexe Sportif de Fès

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

• Algeria vs DR Congo — 5:00 pm, Stade Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan, Rabat
• Côte d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso — 8:00 pm, Grand Stade de Marrakech

With the group stage drama now behind them, Africa’s finest will turn their attention to knockout football—where one mistake can end a dream, and one moment can make history.

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Football fans from Cairo to Cape Town are gearing up for a December like no other, as the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) prepares to take over Morocco.

The tournament kicks off Sunday, December 21, 2025. For nearly a month, six Moroccan cities Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Agadir, Marrakech, and Fez—will burst into colour, noise, and national pride until the final whistle on January 18, 2026.

And this year’s lineup? A continental buffet.
Twenty-four nations have secured their spots: Morocco (hosts), Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Algeria, DR Congo, Senegal, Egypt, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, South Africa, Gabon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Zambia, Mali, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Sudan, Benin, Tanzania, Botswana, and Mozambique.

With the stage set, the group fixtures tell their own story—fresh rivalries, old grudges, and a December packed with football drama.
Below is the full journey each team must navigate in the group stage of AFCON 2025.

• AFCON 2025 – Full Group Stage Fixtures

GROUP A – Rabat & Casablanca Set the Tone

GROUP B – North vs South, Fire vs Flair

GROUP C – Nigeria’s Road Through Fès and Rabat

GROUP D – Champions Senegal Begin Their Charge

GROUP E – A Battle of Giants and Underdogs

GROUP F – Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and a Storm in Marrakech

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The countdown is on! Africa is gearing up for the 35th edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, promising thrilling football, star-studded clashes, and unforgettable moments as 24 of the continent’s top teams battle for glory.

When does AFCON 2025 kick off?

The tournament runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, wrapping up the year with elite football and starting the new year with knockout drama.

Who is hosting?

Morocco will play host, welcoming fans across nine world-class stadiums in six cities, ensuring electrifying atmospheres and top-tier facilities for players and supporters alike.

Countries that qualified for AFCON 2025

• Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
• Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
• Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
• Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin Republic, Botswana
• Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
• Group F: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

Where to watch

Fans across Sub-Saharan Africa can catch the action live on SuperSport and CANAL+. In Nigeria, all matches will be broadcast on SuperSport via DStv and GOtv, so you won’t miss a single goal.

Get ready for AFCON 2025—Africa’s biggest football stage is back!

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The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Final Draw was officially conducted on Monday, January 27, 2025, at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco.

The glamorous ceremony, attended by football icons and dignitaries, determined the group stage paths for the 24 teams vying for Africa’s most prestigious football trophy.

The tournament, scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will be hosted across six cities and nine stadiums in Morocco. The draw divided the qualified teams into six groups of four, setting the stage for an exciting four weeks of football.

Out of CAF’s 52 member nations, 50 participated in the qualifiers. Following a preliminary round, 48 teams were split into 12 groups of four. Each team played six matches in a home and away-format, with the top two teams from each group securing their spots in the finals.

Now, the stage is set for Africa’s best to compete for continental supremacy, but only one nation will emerge as the champion.

AFCON 2025 Groups:

– Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
– Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
– Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
– Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
– Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
– Group F: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

With strong contenders spread across all groups, the tournament promises thrilling matchups and intense competition as nations chase the ultimate prize—becoming kings of African football.

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Watch the full draw below:

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The draw will take place on Monday, January 27, 2025, at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, setting the stage for what promises to be another thrilling tournament in African football.

The event will determine the grouping of the 24 qualified teams into six pools for the first round. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will progress to the Round of 16, ensuring intense competition from the outset.

The draw ceremony is expected to attract notable figures from the world of African football, including federation officials, legendary players, and global media, amplifying the excitement ahead of the tournament. Fans worldwide can catch the live broadcast on CAF’s official social media platforms and partner broadcasters.

AFCON 2025 Pots

Pot 1:
– Morocco
– Senegal
– Egypt
– Algeria
– Nigeria
– Côte d’Ivoire

Pot 2:
– Cameroon
– Mali
– Tunisia
– South Africa
– DR Congo
– Burkina Faso

Pot 3:
– Gabon
– Angola
– Zambia
– Uganda
– Equatorial Guinea
– Benin Republic

Pot 4:
– Mozambique
– Comoros
– Tanzania
– Sudan
– Zimbabwe
– Botswana

The stage is now set for AFCON 2025, as fans eagerly await the draw to see how the groups will shape up.

The tournament promises to deliver exceptional football, highlighting the talent and passion of African teams on the continental stage.

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Liverpool fans received an unsettling update as Mohamed Salah spoke out for the first time since sustaining a hamstring injury during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The incident occurred in Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana, with Salah leaving the field just before halftime.

The Egyptian Football Association confirmed in a statement that while the 31-year-old did experience a hamstring strain, it is not as severe as initially feared. Salah will be sidelined for Egypt’s final group game against Cape Verde and, if they advance, the round-of-16 match. However, he is expected to recover in time for a potential quarter-final clash.

The extent of Salah’s absence depends on Egypt’s performance in the tournament without their captain and star player. The team has drawn both of their games 2-2 so far. A victory against Cape Verde will secure their spot in the knockout stage, but if they fall short, their progression will hinge on the outcome of the Ghana vs. Mozambique match.

Discussing his fitness ahead of the crucial game, Salah told reporters on Sunday: ‘My injury is still there but the most important thing now is to speak about the game.

‘We are very positive, we have great players and a great team, and we just need to fight and see what will happen.’

Egypt have not won the AFCON since 2010, but did reach the final in 2017 and 2021.

Salah added, ‘I would love to win it, absolutely. I have won everything possible but this one not yet.

‘It will happen somehow, that is what I believe, and whatever I believe I achieve, so sooner or later it will happen. Everybody knows what it means to any player to win an Africa Cup.

‘We were unlucky at the last one and also in Gabon. The players are very motivated to win the tournament. We all want to win it.

‘At the end of the day we are not doing great at the moment but we have a fantastic team and a great coach, so we just need to stay focused. I believe that with hard work everything is possible, so we just need to win one game to qualify and we go from there.’

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Liverpool has officially confirmed that Mohamed Salah will be departing for Africa Cup of Nations duty after the weekend’s match against Newcastle United.

Egypt’s campaign in the tournament kicks off on January 14, and if they advance far into the competition, Salah could potentially miss seven games across various competitions, including key Premier League fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal.

In a club statement, Liverpool announced, “Mohamed Salah will link up with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations following Liverpool’s clash with Newcastle United.”

Additionally, Liverpool will lose midfielder Wataru Endo after the same game, as the Japan international is set to join up with the national team for Asia Cup duty.

During a press conference on Friday, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp emphasized the difficulty of devising a plan to cope without Salah, recognizing the significant impact the Egyptian forward has on the team.

“Each long-term plan I could have had depends massively on who is available so why should I think in October who should I use in January when Mo is away when I don’t know who is available?” Klopp said.

“We have solutions today and I hope we have that after Newcastle as well. It is not the first time, it is a really very average situation that you lose your goal scorer but we had it even worse in the past when both Sadio [Mane] and Mo left.

“But we came always through it and traditionally at least one of them went far in the tournament at least, which makes it even worse. We have to get through this. We know Africa Cup of Nations appears and Mo has to go and so we have to deal with it, that was always clear.

“And now we have with Wataru Endo his participation in the Asia Cup as well, so it’s like it is. We knew it and now we have to deal with it and we will.”

With the AFCON group stage scheduled to run until January 24, Mohamed Salah will miss several crucial fixtures for Liverpool. This includes the FA Cup clash with Arsenal, both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Fulham, and a Premier League away match against Bournemouth.

The fixture against Chelsea on January 31 is on the cards, being the day after the AFCON round of 16 concludes. If Egypt progresses to the quarterfinal, Salah would be unavailable for the match against Arsenal at Anfield on February 4.

If Egypt goes all the way to the AFCON final scheduled for February 11, Salah would also miss the Premier League encounter against Burnley. The absence of Salah poses a significant challenge for Liverpool during this period, as he is a key player and top scorer for the team.

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on Liverpool reveal when Mohamed Salah will leave for AFCON.

At the recently opened Parc des Expositions in Abidjan, the draw for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was successfully held. Several of the best football teams from the African continent will compete in the event, which is set to take place in January 2024.

In the draw, Nigeria’s Super Eagles were placed in Group A, and they will compete alongside the host nation, Ivory Coast. This sets the stage for an exciting competition as these teams vie for supremacy.

The defending champions, Senegal, find themselves in Group C, and they will face competition from teams like Cameroon, Guinea, and The Gambia.

AFCON promises to be an intense and competitive tournament, with numerous strong teams competing for the prestigious title.

Here is the full draw:

Group A
Ivory Coast
NigeriaGhana
Equatorial Guinea
Guinea-Bissau

Group B
Egypt
Cape Verde
Mozambique

Group C
Senegal
Cameroon
Guinea
Gambia

Group D
Algeria
Burkina Faso
Mauritania
Angola

Group E
Tunisia
Mali
South Africa
Namibia

Group F
Morocco
DR Congo
Zambia
Tanzania.

The groups are set. ✅#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 is now ready to kick off in January! 🇨🇮⚽️

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will officially kick off on January 13, 2024, with the final game set to be played on February 11, 2024. pic.twitter.com/CbOg0eimId

— SportingXplorer (@SportingXplorer) October 12, 2023

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