The second round of pool fixtures kick off at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, with four games off the back of Thursday’s pause for Christmas Day.
Hosts Morocco can seal progression at the first opportunity if they can beat Mali in Group A, where Zambia take on Comoros earlier in the evening.
A monster Group B clash sees Mohamed Salah and Egypt play tournament dark horses South Africa, while Angola and Zimbabwe face off in the first match of the day.
*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.
Group A: Zambia vs Comoros – 19.30
It’s all to play for in Group A at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, as Zambia and Comoros continue the squabble for a knockout qualification spot in Casablanca.
The Zambians have a slight advantage – and a spring in their step – after pinching a precious injury time point from their opening match with Mali, as Patson Daka popped up with a header in the 92nd minute.
Comoros did themselves proud with a sturdy effort on the opening night against hosts and top-ranked nation Morocco.
A couple of pieces of individual quality did the business for the Atlas Lions in front of their home crowd, sealing a 2-0 win that leaves the Coelacanths likely needing something from this one to extend their stay beyond the first phase.
Group A: Morocco vs Mali – 22.00
Morocco have knockout qualification in mind as they play Mali in Rabat in Group A at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday night.
The Atlas Lions had to work hard for their 2-0 win over stubborn Comoros on the opening night, also at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
But Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz netted the opener before Ayoub El Kaabi produced an overhead kick, calming any nerves among the 60 000 home crowd at the sparkling new venue.
Lassine Sinayoko’s poacher’s finish put Mali on the brink of claiming all three points in their opener with Zambia in Casablanca.
They were pegged back by Patson Daka’s 92nd-minute equaliser, though, leaving them with work to do against the tournament favourites and Comoros next week.
Group B: Angola vs Zimbabwe – 14.30
It’s all on the line already for Angola and Zimbabwe in Group B at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Marrakech on Friday.
The southern African pair were both losers in the opening round of fixtures, albeit by the narrowest of margins against the two pool heavyweights.
Heartbreak struck the Warriors on Monday in Agadir, despite Prince Dube putting them ahead against Egypt.
English Premier League stars combined, though, as Omar Marmoush pulled level before an instinctive injury time winner from Mohamed Salah completed the comeback for a 2-1 win.
The Black Sable Antelopes pulled level against much-fancied South Africa thanks to Show, but were also the victims of a late winner as Lyle Foster scored in the 79th minute.
It leaves the pointless pair needing to act fast despite their encouraging opening efforts.
Group B: Egypt vs South Africa – 17.00
Egypt and South Africa collide in Group B on Friday in Agadir, in the biggest match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations so far.
The pair hail from opposite ends of the continent but achieved identical opening results on Monday, both coming through challenging games 2-1.
Mohamed Salah was the Egyptian hero, netting in stoppage time to scramble a victory over Zimbabwe, who had led for over 40 minutes until Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush found the equaliser.
Bafana Bafana also had to do it the hard way after a neat finish from Oswin Appollis was cancelled out by Angola’s Show.
They were indebted to Lyle Foster, who produced a beauty of a finish in the 79th minute to guarantee all three points.
It takes just a bit of heat off the result of this one, for the pair who both head to the 2026 Fifa World Cup in the middle of next year.
Morocco v Mali
| Result Prediction | Draw |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Morocco / Draw |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) |
Zambia v Comoros
| Result Prediction | Zambia |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Zambia / Zambia |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | Patson Daka (Zambia) |
Egypt v South Africa
| Result Prediction | Egypt |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Egypt / Egypt |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | Mohamed Mostafa (Egypt) |
Angola v Zimbabwe
| Result Prediction | Angola |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Over |
| HT / FT | Angola / Angola |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | Mabululu, Gelson Dala (Angola) |
Nigeria v Tunisia
| Result Prediction | Nigeria |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Nigeria / Nigeria |
| Team(s) to Score | Nigeria |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) |
Senegal v Congo DR
| Result Prediction | Senegal |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Over |
| HT / FT | Draw / Senegal |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | – |
Benin v Botswana
| Result Prediction | Draw |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Draw / Draw |
| Team(s) to Score | None |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | – |
Algeria v Burkina Faso
| Result Prediction | Draw |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Burkina Faso / Draw |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | Bounedjah (Algeria), Traoré (Burkina Faso) |
Equatorial Guinea v Sudan
| Result Prediction | Equatorial Guinea |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Over |
| HT / FT | Draw / Equatorial Guinea |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | Emilio Nsue (EG) |
Côte d’Ivoire v Cameroon
| Result Prediction | Cameroon |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Draw / Cameroon |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | – |
Gabon v Mozambique
| Result Prediction | Gabon |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Gabon / Gabon |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | – |
Zambia v Morocco
| Result Prediction | Zambia |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Draw / Zambia |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | Patson Daka (Zambia) |
Comoros v Mali
| Result Prediction | Draw |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Mali / Draw |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) |
Angola v Egypt
| Result Prediction | Angola |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Over |
| HT / FT | Angola / Angola |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | Mabululu, Gelson Dala (Angola), Mohamed Mostafa (Egypt) |
Zimbabwe v South Africa
| Result Prediction | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Zimbabwe / Zimbabwe |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | – |
Uganda v Nigeria
| Result Prediction | Nigeria |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Nigeria / Nigeria |
| Team(s) to Score | Both |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) |
Tanzania v Tunisia
| Result Prediction | Draw |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Tanzania / Draw |
| Team(s) to Score | None |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | – |
Benin v Senegal
| Result Prediction | Senegal |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Draw / Senegal |
| Team(s) to Score | Senegal |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | – |
Botswana v Congo DR
| Result Prediction | Draw |
|---|---|
| Goals (O/U 2.5) | Under |
| HT / FT | Draw / Draw |
| Team(s) to Score | Congo DR |
| Key Goalscorer(s) | – |