Fixtures | Friday, December 26, 2025
Group A
8:30 — Zambia vs Comoros
11:00 — Morocco vs Mali
Group B
3:30 — Angola vs Zimbabwe
18:00 — Egypt vs South Africa
The second round of group-stage matches at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco is set to elevate the tournament from early promise to genuine intensity, with a run of heavyweight clashes and historic rivalries that could begin to define the path to the knockout stages from Friday.
After an opening round marked by goals, late drama and early statements of intent, the competition now moves into a phase where reputation, pedigree and psychology begin to matter just as much as form.
The first round produced 29 goals across 12 matches and six clean sheets, underlining a competition finely balanced between attacking ambition and defensive discipline. With margins already tight in most groups, the second set of fixtures arrives as a potential separator between contenders and chasers.
Several of Africa’s most decorated sides are set to collide over the next three days, while regional derbies add an extra edge to fixtures where pride often outweighs the points on offer.
Morocco vs Mali
Very late on Friday, hosts Morocco face Mali in a match layered with symbolism. Morocco arrive as Africa’s first-ever World Cup semi-finalists, buoyed by home support and early composure, but Mali bring a squad brimming with athleticism, intensity and technical quality.
Brahim Díaz’s goal in the opener signalled Morocco’s attacking threat, yet Mali’s midfield energy — driven by Lassine Sinayoko’s relentless work rate — ensures this will be far from routine. For Mali, a positive result would dramatically shift the balance in Group A. Zambia clash with Comoros in the group’s other game on Friday.
Egypt vs South Africa
A familiar heavyweight duel, Friday’s meeting between Egypt and South Africa is one of the round’s headline encounters. These two sides share a long and often tense history at the Africa Cup of Nations, with their meetings frequently shaping tournament narratives.
Both teams opened with victories — Egypt relying once again on the decisive presence of Mohamed Salah, while South Africa edged past Angola through late composure and Lyle Foster’s calm finishing. With both sitting on three points, the contest carries significant weight in the battle for top spot in Group B.
Beyond the tactics, this is a clash defined by pedigree: seven-time champions against a side that has repeatedly proven capable of upsetting Africa’s elite.
With both sides opened with victories, and with attacking quality on both benches, the contest could prove decisive in determining who tops the group. Angola and Zimbabwe, beaten in their openers, face a must-win encounter earlier in the day.
