Post by : Meena Ariff

The race to the knockout rounds of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 concluded with Morocco, Mali, and South Africa booking their places following the final group-stage matches.

In Group A, Morocco’s national team, popularly known as the Atlas Lions, delivered a commanding performance against Zambia. Playing at their home ground, the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco dominated the match from start to finish and secured a convincing 3-0 victory. This important win ensured Morocco topped Group A with seven points, advancing confidently to the round of 16. Zambia, on the other hand, failed to make an impact throughout the group stage and finished last in the group with only two points, leading to their early exit from the tournament.

The other Group A fixture saw Mali face off against the Comoros at the Mohamed V Complex. Both teams fought hard, but neither could break the deadlock, resulting in a goalless 0-0 draw. This single point was sufficient for Mali to secure the second spot in the group with three points, guaranteeing their place in the knockout stages. Despite a spirited effort and strong defensive play, the Comoros ended the group phase in third place with two points and were eliminated from the competition.

Group B witnessed an exciting and closely contested match between South Africa and Zimbabwe at the Marrakesh Stadium. South Africa, known as Bafana Bafana, edged out Zimbabwe in a thrilling 3-2 win. This victory propelled South Africa to six points, confirming their qualification for the round of 16 as the second-placed team in Group B. Zimbabwe’s defeat meant their hopes of progressing were dashed.

Meanwhile, Egypt maintained their flawless run in the tournament by finishing top of Group B. Earlier in the day, Egypt played a cautious 0-0 draw against Angola, which secured them seven points at the summit of the group. Their unbeaten streak through the group stages demonstrates their strength and ambition as favorites to challenge for the title in this edition of AFCON.

With the group stages complete, Morocco, Mali, South Africa, and Egypt now prepare for the knockout rounds, where the competition will intensify as teams vie for the prestigious continental trophy.

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