The final annular of group-stage matches at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 gets beneath way on Monday with accomplishment still on the band for best of the acreage — and the accustomed AFCON affiance of backward ball durably intact.
Three teams accept already appointed their places in the Annular of 16 afterwards acceptable their aperture two matches: Egypt, Nigeria and Algeria. For anybody else, the final accumulation amateur will adjudge not alone who finishes in the top two — and qualifies automatically — but additionally which abandon can accumulate their hopes animate through the chase for the best third-placed spots.
Monday’s agenda sets the accent immediately, with accompanying kick-offs set to heighten the tension.
In Accumulation B, Egypt’s absolute alpha has put them bright on six credibility and cautiously through, but there is still affluence at pale abaft them. South Africa sit additional on three credibility and apperceive that achievement over Zimbabwe would abolish any doubt, while Angola — akin on one point with Zimbabwe — charge agitated Egypt and achievement after-effects abroad abatement their way. With ambition aberration tight, a distinct beat could be decisive.
In Accumulation A, hosts Morocco accept handled apprehension able-bodied and top the accumulation on four points, but they are not home free. Mali and Zambia are bound calm on two points, with Comoros still in altercation on one — and Monday night brings two amateur that could about-face the accumulation upside down. Morocco face a Zambia ancillary that has already apparent it can dig deep, while Mali cannot allow a blooper adjoin Comoros in a bout that may become a beeline shootout for progression.
The astriction rises afresh on Tuesday as Nigeria, already able from Accumulation C, booty on Uganda. That leaves Tunisia, on three points, aiming to do the job adjoin Tanzania — but with both Tanzania and Uganda still able of abduction a abode through a able finish, there is no allowance for complacency.
In Accumulation D, the numbers advance a archetypal final-day squeeze: Senegal and DR Congo are akin on four points, Benin are aloof one abaft on three, and Botswana are block a aboriginal point. DR Congo will apprehend opportunities adjoin Botswana, but Senegal’s affair with Benin carries accessible accident — with aboriginal place, automated accomplishment and abeyant abolishment all still accessible outcomes depending on the results.
Wednesday brings the closing affiliate of the accumulation phase. Algeria, already through from Accumulation E, could yet access who joins them, with Burkina Faso and Sudan akin on three credibility and afar by accomplished margins.
In Accumulation F, Cameroon and arresting champions Cote d’Ivoire are akin on four points, while Mozambique abide abutting abundant on three to about-face the final black into a clutter — alike with Gabon already eliminated.
If the aperture two circuit accept accomplished anything, it is that AFCON rarely follows a script.
The final accumulation games, advance beyond three days, attending set to bear the absolute twists.
Final annular of group-stage accessories (all times GMT)
Monday 29 December
16:00 — Angola vs Egypt
16:00 — Zimbabwe vs South Africa
19:00 — Zambia vs Morocco
19:00 — Comoros vs Mali
Tuesday 30 December
16:00 — Uganda vs Nigeria
16:00 — Tanzania vs Tunisia
19:00 — Benin vs Senegal
19:00 — Botswana vs Congo DR
Wednesday 31 December
16:00 — Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria
16:00 — Sudan vs Burkina Faso
19:00 — Gabon vs Cote d’Ivoire
19:00 — Mozambique vs Cameroon