The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations hits full swing on Monday, as a trio of fixtures follow hot on the heels of Sunday’s tournament opener between host nation Morocco and Comoros in Rabat.
Mohamed Salah leads continental giants Egypt into battle in their Group B opener against Zimbabwe, after South Africa kick off their campaign against Angola in Marrakech.
Mali and Zambia complete the first round of fixtures in Group A when they meet in Casablanca.
*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.
Group A: Mali vs Zambia – 16.00
Mali and Zambia kick off their respective campaigns at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, as they meet in Casablanca.
The pair complete the first round of action in the pool, after host nation Morocco and Comoros bring up the curtain on the continental showpiece on Sunday.
Never have the Eagles matched their runners-up effort on Afcon debut in 1972.
But there’s an air of quiet confidence this time around that they can at least repeat the run that saw them reach the quarter-final stage in 2023.
An unbeaten qualifying campaign was a help, as they conceded just once in besting Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and Eswatini.
And with the likes of English Premier League star Yves Bissouma in their ranks, coach Tom Saintfiet will be confident of plotting a course deep into the competition with the Eagles.
Their opponents have a history intertwined with the Cup of Nations and captured hearts around the world with their 2012 title win, 19 years on from the air disaster that wiped out their entire squad and management.
Chipolopolo haven’t gone beyond the group stage since, but did outdo reigning champions Cote d’Ivoire in Group G of qualifying for Morocco.
Much will rely on the prowess of Patson Daka for the southern African nation, who are coached by former international defender Moses Sichone.
Group B: South Africa vs Angola – 19.00
South Africa meet Angola at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, as Group B gets underway at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.
The pair are seeking a highly prized three points at the first attempt, not least with hotshots Egypt looming on the horizon.
Bafana Bafana have been making steady improvement under the charge of experienced Belgian coach Hugo Broos.
Their third-placed finish last time around was their best since 2000, while they will also feature at the Fifa World Cup for the first time since France ’98 after negotiating a tricky qualifying path.
Afcon qualification was more of a breeze as they went unbeaten to top Group K ahead of Uganda, Congo and South Sudan.
Angola ruffled a few feathers in 2023 when they made it to the quarter-finals, matching their back-to-back best efforts of 2008 and 2010.
The Black Sable Antelopes equalled Bafana’s unbeaten qualifying record with four wins and a pair of draws en route to Morocco.
It took them through to the showpiece ahead of Sudan and at the expense of Niger and big flops Ghana.
Group B: Egypt vs Zimbabwe – 22.00
Egypt enter the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with expectations high coming into their opening game with Zimbabwe in Agadir on Monday.
The Pharaohs have oscilated between major contenders and disappointments since they claimed the crown three times in a row between 2006 and 2010.
A Round of 16 exit last time out was not part of the plan for Mohamed Salah and Co, as the English Premier League star heads to Morocco with his future up in the air at club side Liverpool.
He’s joined by the likes of Omar Marmoush and seasoned Trezeguet, who led the goalscoring way in qualifying.
The Egyptians were untroubled in coming through at the top of Group C, seeing off Botswana, Mauritania and shock Fifa World Cup qualifiers Cape Verde.
They’re led by the legendary Hossam Hassan, who sets out as head coach to win the competition with Salah in the squad for the first time.
Zimbabwe have never made it beyond the group stage despite appearing five times since their Afcon debut in 2004.
The Warriors made it through Group J of qualifying for Morocco behind Cameroon, eliminating Kenya and neighbours Namibia.
Mario Marinica was jetpacked into the coaching hotseat on the eve of the tournament, after the Romanian replaced the sacked Michael Nees following a winless World Cup qualifying campaign.
Africa Cup of Nations 2025: Predictions – Day Two
Mali vs Zambia
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| First to score | Mali |
| Over/Under Prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT/FT Prediction | Mali / Mali |
| Team to score prediction | Mali only |
| Result prediction | Mali 1-0 Zambia |
South Africa vs Angola
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| First to score | South Africa |
| Over/Under Prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT/FT Prediction | South Africa / South Africa |
| Team to score prediction | South Africa only |
| Result prediction | South Africa 1-0 Angola |
Egypt vs Zimbabwe
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| First to score | Egypt |
| Over/Under Prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT/FT Prediction | Egypt / Egypt |
| Team to score prediction | Egypt only |
| Result prediction | Egypt 3-0 Zimbabwe |