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2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group Stage Draw: South Africa Faces Egypt, Nigeria Meets Tunisia

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The highly anticipated 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage draw took place in Rabat on Monday, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting tournament. South Africa will face Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, while Nigeria, powered by Ademola Lookman, will take on Tunisia in their respective groups.

AFCON Group Stage Highlights

The 24-team tournament, hosted by Morocco, will kick off with a thrilling encounter between the hosts and giantkillers Comoros on December 21. Defending champions Ivory Coast will battle five-time winners Cameroon, while the tournament’s opening match will certainly set the tone for the competition.

In Group B, South Africa will face Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Egypt, despite Salah’s stellar achievements with Liverpool, has yet to claim the AFCON title during his career, coming closest with runner-up finishes in 2017 and 2022. South Africa will be looking to make an impact, aiming to challenge the dominant North African teams.

Meanwhile, Nigeria, who were runners-up to Ivory Coast last year, will face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in Group C. Nigeria boasts a powerful forward lineup, including Lookman and Victor Osimhen, while Tunisia, with a record 17 consecutive AFCON appearances, is sure to bring tough competition.

Other Key Matches and Groups

Group A features Morocco, Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. With home advantage, Morocco, who are aiming to make history by winning AFCON as hosts, will be eager to showcase their talent, especially with stars like Achraf Hakimi in their squad.

In Group D, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo will go head-to-head, with Benin and Botswana completing the group. Group E will see Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan battling for a spot in the knockout rounds, while Group F consists of Ivory Coast (holders), Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique.

AFCON Dates and Venues

The tournament will be held across six cities in Morocco, including Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakesh, Fes, and Tangier. Group stage matches will take place from December 21 to 31, excluding December 25, with the knockout stages beginning on January 3, 2026. The final is scheduled for January 18, 2026.

Tournament Dates:

  • Group Stage: Dec 21-31 (excluding Dec 25)
  • Last 16: Jan 3-6, 2026
  • Quarter-finals: Jan 9-10
  • Semi-finals: Jan 14
  • Third place: Jan 17
  • Final: Jan 18

Group Stage Draw:

  • Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
  • Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
  • Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
  • Group D: Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Botswana
  • Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
  • Group F: Ivory Coast (holders), Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

AFCON 2025: A Global Stage for Africa’s Best

CAF president Patrick Motsepe expressed optimism about the tournament’s success, stating that AFCON 2025 will be the most successful yet. Originally scheduled for mid-2025, the tournament’s dates were adjusted to avoid a clash with the revamped FIFA Club World Cup, but Motsepe remains confident that it will be a landmark event for African football.

With top talents and African footballing powerhouses like Senegal, Ivory Coast, Egypt, and Nigeria, the 2025 AFCON is shaping up to be a thrilling tournament that will capture the attention of football fans worldwide.

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