AFCON 2025: Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria Through as Others Jostle for Last 16 Places

The final round of group-stage matches at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, kicks off on Monday with qualification still hanging in the balance for most teams as the fight for the Round of 16 intensifies.

According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), only three nations — Egypt, Nigeria and Algeria — have already booked their spots in the knockout stage after winning their opening two matches. The remaining places will be decided in the last set of group fixtures.

CAF explained that the concluding matches will determine not only the top two teams in each group, who qualify automatically, but also the best third-placed teams that can advance to the knockout phase.

This was contained in a statement titled “AFCON 2025: Final group games begin as knockout race tightens in Morocco,” released on Monday and obtained from the CAF website.

“The final round of group-stage matches at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 gets under way on Monday with qualification still on the line for most of the field — and the familiar AFCON promise of late drama firmly intact,” the statement read.

CAF added that matches within each group will be played simultaneously to heighten competition and suspense.

In Group B, Egypt lead with six points and have already qualified. However, the remaining places are still up for grabs. South Africa, on three points, face Zimbabwe, while Angola and Zimbabwe are both on one point, with Angola needing a win against Egypt and favourable results elsewhere.

Group A remains wide open. Hosts Morocco top the group with four points, while Mali and Zambia are tied on two points each, and Comoros trail with one. Morocco take on Zambia, while Mali face Comoros in decisive encounters.

Attention shifts to Group C on Tuesday, where Nigeria have already secured qualification and will play Uganda. Tunisia, on three points, meet Tanzania, with all three teams behind Nigeria still in the hunt for progression.

Group D is also finely poised, with Senegal and DR Congo on four points each, Benin on three and Botswana yet to record a point. Senegal face Benin, while DR Congo play Botswana.

The final group matches will wrap up on Wednesday. In Group E, Algeria have already qualified, while Burkina Faso and Sudan, both on three points, battle for the remaining spot. Group F features Cameroon and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire tied on four points, with Mozambique still in contention on three points despite Gabon’s elimination.

CAF noted that unpredictability remains a hallmark of the tournament, stating: “If the opening two rounds have taught anything, it is that AFCON rarely follows a script. The final group games, spread across three days, look set to deliver the decisive twists.”

Final round of group-stage fixtures (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 DR Congo

Wednesday, 31 December
16:00 — Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria
16:00 — Sudan vs Burkina Faso
19:00 — Gabon vs Côte d’Ivoire
19:00 — Mozambique vs Cameroon

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