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.

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on AFCON Morocco 2025: CAF Unveils Round of 16 Match Schedule.

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

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on Africa Awaits: AFCON 2025 Group Stage Fixtures Ignite Morocco.

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.

https://twitter.com/CAF_Online/status/1883962863397790091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1883962863397790091%7Ctwgr%5E91d16839b19a63e099a5b25535e10ad8ac0d4637%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pulsesports.ng%2Ffootball%2Fstory%2Fafcon-2025-eric-chelle-all-smiles-as-super-eagles-draw-tunisia-2025012719521322284

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.

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on AFCON 2025 Draw: Official Date, Venue, and Pots Revealed.

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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FIFA rejected France’s appeal about the outcome of their World Cup match versus Tunisia.

The protest was filed following their last group match against Tunisia, which the North African team won 1-0 on the strength of a goal from Wahbi Khazri.

It was a game that ended in controversy, though, with substitute Antoine Griezmann believing he had scored an equaliser in the 99th minute.

A long delay followed, and the referee allowed Tunisia to kick off again, only for VAR to intervene and disallow the goal for offside.

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That incensed the French and they lodged an appeal, claiming a breach in VAR protocol had occurred in disallowing a goal after play had restarted with a kick-off.

The French Football Federation (FFF) asked FIFA to allow the goal and have the result changed to a 1-1 draw, but it has been rejected out of hand.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has dismissed the protest submitted by the French Football Association in relation to the Tunisia v. France FIFA World Cup match played on 30 November,” a short FIFA statement read.

Despite the fact that the episode sparked debate, it had little effect on the group. France advanced as group champions, while Tunisia was eliminated from the competition.

The outcome had no bearing on Australia or Denmark, with the Socceroos finishing second and qualifying for the last 16. On Saturday evening, they were defeated 2-1 by Argentina.

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on FIFA decides on France’s appeal on Antoine Griezmann’s goal disqualification..

To advance to the World Cup’s knockout rounds on Friday, Cameroon will have the challenging task of defeating Brazil at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.

The Indomitable Lions must win and hope that either Serbia beats Switzerland by one goal in the other Group G game, or that Serbia picks up a draw since the Selecao simply needs a point to take first place.

The Seleccaos are already qualified and will play the last group game at Lusail Stadium, so they have nothing left to lose. After falling short against Switzerland, Cameroon battled bravely to a 3-3 tie with Serbia in the 2022 World Cup.

Cameroon now has a difficult task, but they will have to face a team that is already qualified in Brazil. The African giants have a clinical striker, and this will be one of their most significant matches.

Brazil qualified for the Round of 16 with two victories, proving why they are the odds-on favourite to win the World Cup. Since Brazil will play the Group G winners in the knockout round, Tite will rest his normal starter in the hopes that Neymar will be able to play.

• Team News:

Andre Onana won’t play in goal for Cameroon since he was expelled for misconduct after disagreeing with the coach about the team’s playing philosophy.

As a result, the more inexperienced Devis Epassy should get the nod between the sticks, as he did in the last match, while Vincent Aboubakar may be brought into the frontline, having scored from the bench last time out.

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Alex Sandro is the most recent player to be ruled out for Brazil due to injury after receiving a scan for the hip problem that took him off against Switzerland.

Since Alex Telles was substituted for the final five minutes of the second game, he is likely to replace him at left-back in the upcoming game.

Due to an ankle condition that kept him out of the previous game, Neymar, a key player, is also expected to miss this one, and Danilo won’t be in the running for a spot in the backline because of a similar issue.

Bruno Guimaraes, Gabriel Jesus, and Antony may receive additional playing time as Tite decides to rest some Brazil players due to their team’s automatic qualification for the knockout stages.

• Possible Lineup:

Cameroon’s possible starting lineup:
Epassy; Fai, Castelletto, Nkoulou, Tolo; Hongla, Anguissa, Kunde; Aboubakar, Choupo-Moting, Toko Ekambi

Brazil’s possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Militao, Marquinhos, Silva, Telles; Casemiro, Guimaraes, Paqueta; Antony, Jesus, Vinicius Jr

• Score Prediction:

After drawing with Serbia, Cameroon will need three points. They ought to take heart from Tunisia’s 1-0 triumph over France. Brazil has not allowed a single shot on goal, so Choupo-Moting and Aboubakar will need to be at the top of their game to defeat the African juggernauts. Brazil, on the other hand, has nothing to lose because they will play at a slower tempo and be the more composed of the two teams during the match.

Prediction: Cameroon 3-2 Brazil

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Karim Benzema’s comeback to the France World Cup team has been downplayed by Didier Deschamps, who claims he is not aware of the escalating rumours.

Benzema had been dealing with injury issues before the tournament, and another setback caused him to withdraw entirely. Despite having the option to do so, Deschamps chose not to replace him.

The French striker was anticipated to be out for four weeks, but rumours in Spain on Monday night suggested he had recovered earlier than anticipated and was ready to rejoin Real Madrid in training.

Because Les Bleus didn’t replace him, Benzema is still listed as a participant in the competition and has, as a result, been connected to a sensational comeback to Qatar, if he can demonstrate his health.

But Deschamps has now rubbished suggestions the 34-year-old is set for a sensational return and insists he is happy with the players and squad currently at his disposal.

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Asked in a roundabout way about the speculation surrounding Benzema, Deschamps said: ‘Wow. Well, I’m not sure [what to say], that’s really not something that I’m thinking about.

‘You seem to know a lot about the situation but I haven’t really been following who has been saying what. I talked to Karim after he left and you know the situation, and we heard how long it was going to take for him to recover.

‘So I don’t really know what you’re trying to imply. I have 24 players in my squad and I’m happy with the squad I have. Some players are missing, [Presnel] Kimpembe and [Paul] Pogba are missing too, and of course I talk with them. But it’s up to you if you want to speculate and imagine scenarios. That’s not what I’m focusing on at the moment.’

In place of captain Hugo Lloris, Deschamps was accompanied by Aurelien Tchouameni for the pre-match news conference before facing Tunisia, but he laughed off claims that the media lineup revealed anything about his team selection.

‘No, he [Tchouameni] won’t be captain tomorrow,’ said the France boss.

‘You can try and guess what you like, but we don’t have to come with the captain to these press conferences every time because it’s quite tiring for a player to come every time. So I think it’s good to change things up a little bit from time to time. Hugo makes himself available for the game and of course I’m thinking about those issues and a number of other issues for the match.’

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on Didier Deschamps reacts to claims Benzema could return to France’s World Cup squad..

When the defending world champions France resumes Group D responsibilities against Denmark at Stadium 974 on Saturday night, they can guarantee a spot in the final rounds of the 2022 World Cup.

The French national team, led by Didier Deschamps, overcame a deficit against Australia on Tuesday night to begin their championship defence with a resounding victory.

For the second tournament in a row, Denmark was held to the first 0-0 draw of the World Cup. While Tunisia took a share of the spoils earlier in the week, France was on the other side of the stalemate in 2018.

• Team News:

Before Deschamps selected his team, after Deschamps selected his squad, and again during their World Cup journey, France have been beset by injuries. On Tuesday, left-back Lucas Hernandez tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the buildup to Australia’s goal by Goodwin.

The Bayern Munich player will not be participating in the remainder of the World Cup as he prepares for months of recovery. Instead, he will hand the ball to his brother Theo Hernandez, who performed admirably after taking over for his injured cousin.

Due to a hip injury, Deschamps was also without Kingsley Coman in Friday’s training session, but Raphael Varane was deemed healthy enough to play against the Socceroos in lieu of Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate at the back.

Upamecano and Konate won’t feel as though they deserved to lose their positions, but a fully healthy Varane will undoubtedly be given consideration, and the unfortunate Liverpool player may be the one to withdraw.

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Similar circumstances to Hernandez’s have befallen Denmark, as Sevilla midfielder Thomas Delaney, who was substituted against Tunisia at halftime due to a knee injury, has also been forced to withdraw from the competition in order to rehabilitate for a month.

Other than Delaney’s injury, Hjulmand has no new worries heading into Saturday’s game. As a result, he should think about moving Eriksen and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg into a deeper role, which would free up either Mikkel Damsgaard or Jesper Lindstrom to join the attack.

The 29-year-old Andreas Cornelius should only be considered for a substitute role here alongside the injured Yussuf Poulsen after producing one of the worst misses in World Cup history against Tunisia when he miraculously hit the post from a yard out.

• Possible Lineup:

France’s possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud

Denmark’s possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Kjaer; Kristensen, Hojbjerg, Eriksen, Maehle; Skov Olsen, Dolberg, Damsgaard

• Score prediction:

Denmark ought to be the overwhelming favourite to defeat a team they vanquished in Copenhagen and Paris based only on the results of this year’s Nations League. However, focusing only on their two most recent meetings would be misleadingly partial.

In the group game, the defending champions are the favourites, especially if they can duplicate the electrifying swagger of their second half against Australia.

Kasper Hjulmand, the manager of Denmark, is juggling more important choices than his preferred defensive alignment.

Any outcome against France will leave those competing interests in place.

Prediction: France 2-1 Denmark

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In their Group D World Cup opener at the Education City Stadium, Tunisia held Denmark to a scoreless draw that will not stick in the memory for very long.

After having a heart arrest at Euro 2020, Christian Eriksen returned to a big tournament 18 months later, but his Denmark team was held to a discouraging 0-0 draw by Tunisia in Group D due to some late VAR controversy.

Issam Jebali had a goal disallowed for offside in the 23rd minute, but Denmark played the majority of the attacking game in the first half amid the loud noise produced by the thousands of Tunisian fans in the stands.

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The Danes upped the tempo in the second, with Christian Eriksen firing a rasping left-foot shot that was saved by goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen in the 69th minute, and Andreas Cornelius hit the post with a header from the resulting corner.

Ten minutes after the half, Andreas Skov Olsen’s goal for Denmark was disallowed. In stoppage time, referee Cesar Ramos decided not to award a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor in response to a possible handball by Tunisia’s Yassine Meriah.

As the Danes tried to break them down, Tunisia defended staunchly and threatened on the break. In the end, their fans were thrilled with a point that prepares them for their next match against Australia, while Denmark faces France.

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on World Cup: Fearless Tunisia frustrates Denmark to dull 0-0 draw in Group D’s opening match..