The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage reaches its climax in Morocco on Wednesday, with the final qualifiers for the Round of 16 decided as the last two pools wrap up.
Algeria are home and hosed coming into their Group E contest with Equatorial Guinea, with Sudan and Burkina Faso locked in a qualification shootout in Casablanca.
Reigning Afcon champions Cote d’Ivoire will expect to get the job done when they play Gabon to polish off Group F, where all eyes will be on the battle for progression in Agadir between Mozambique and Cameroon.
*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria – 18.00
Algeria go into their final Group E match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations knowing a point against Equatorial Guinea is all they need to guarantee top spot and a breeze into the Round of 16.
The pair meet in Rabat, where the Fennecs have already scooped up a maximum six-point haul so far to ensure qualification.
Riyad Mahrez has led the charge, with the former English Premier League winner scoring three of his side’s four goals.
His first half penalty proved to be the only goal against Burkina Faso on Sunday, while he was at the double in their 3-0 opening success against Sudan.
It means the 2019 Afcon champions will make it beyond the first phase for the first time in three attempts.
Their opponents look unlikely to repeat their last 16 appearance of two years ago, after losing both fixtures so far this time around.
The National Thunder were left devastated when Saul Coco’s late own goal gave Sudan a potentially crucial victory on Sunday.
It was a real kick in the teeth after Burkina Faso had scored in the 95th and 98th minutes to break their hearts in sealing a come-from-behind win in the most dramatic fashion in the opening round.
Only a shock win over the two-time champions will do to keep them in the mix.
Group E: Sudan vs Burkina Faso – 18.00
Sudan and Burkina Faso face off with qualification out of Group E on the line at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.
Both come into the Casablanca showdown on three points, but know that a draw would realistically see both make it through to the Round of 16 in Morocco.
The Stallions registered their win in the opening round, as Georgi Minoungou and Edmond Tapsoba both scored deep into second half stoppage time to burgle a staggering 2-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea.
It took the pressure off their second game against pool favourites Algeria, where they pushed hard in going down by the only goal.
Sudan have had the opposite experience under the wily charge of veteran coach Kwesi Appiah.
The Falcons of Jediane were well beaten by the Algerians in their first game, before securing their first Afcon win in 13 years thanks to a late Burkina Faso own goal on Sunday.
Group F: Gabon vs Cote d’Ivoire – 21.00
Cote d’Ivoire are on pole position to qualify from Group F at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, with pointless Gabon their final pool opponents in Marrakesh.
The 2023 Afcon champions are guaranteed to continue their title defence if they can manage a draw against the underdogs, although their four-point haul will likely already prove sufficient.
Amad Diallo kickstarted the Elephants’ campaign when he scored the only goal in their opening win over Mozambique.
Then came a sterner test in Cameroon with Diallo again on target, only for Ghislain Konan’s own goal five minutes later to deny them their perfect record.
The Panthers made it to the last 16 on their last tournament appearance in 2021.
But they’ll need an almighty upset here if they’re to stand a chance of repeating the trick, with a single-goal defeat to neighbours Cameroon in a spicy match kicking off the competition.
Then came a pulsating match with Moazmbique, where Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened his account and was joined on the scoresheet by Alex Moucketou-Moussounda, only to fall to a 3-2 loss.
Group F: Mozambique vs Cameroon – 21.00
Anything could happen as Mozambique play Cameroon in the final round of Group F action at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Agadir on Wednesday.
The pair are squabbling for qualification for the Round of 16 and even top spot should Cote d’Ivoire slip up against Gabon.
A timely second half own goal ensured the Indomitable Lions shared the spoils with the reigning champions in their second outing last Sunday.
They had earlier opened up with victory over the Panthers, as Karl Etta Eyong scored the only goal of their rival clash in just the sixth minute.
The Mambas, who have never gone beyond the group phase at Afcon, could hold their heads up high after falling to a 1-0 opening loss at the hands of the Ivorians.
And they produced when it mattered against Gabon in a rollercoaster second match.
Faizal Bangal, Geny Catamo and Diogo Calila were all on target as they came out on top of a five-goal Agadir thriller, putting them in seriously good shape for a shot at the knockouts.
Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| First to score | Algeria |
| Over/Under Prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT/FT Prediction | Draw / Algeria |
| Team to score prediction | Algeria only |
| Result prediction | Algeria to win |
Sudan vs Burkina Faso
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| First to score | Burkina Faso |
| Over/Under Prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT/FT Prediction | Draw / Burkina Faso |
| Team to score prediction | Burkina Faso only |
| Result prediction | Burkina Faso to win |
Gabon vs Ivory Coast
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| First to score | Ivory Coast |
| Over/Under Prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT/FT Prediction | Ivory Coast / Ivory Coast |
| Team to score prediction | Ivory Coast only |
| Result prediction | Ivory Coast to win |
Mozambique vs Cameroon
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| First to score | Cameroon |
| Over/Under Prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT/FT Prediction | Draw / Cameroon |
| Team to score prediction | Both teams |
| Result prediction | Cameroon to win |