On January 27, 2025, the highly anticipated draw for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was completed in Morocco, revealing the groups for the prestigious tournament.
Held at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, the ceremony featured a host of African football legends and captured the attention of fans across the continent.
This year’s AFCON will take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in six Moroccan cities across nine different stadiums.
The tournament promises to showcase Africa’s finest teams battling it out for the coveted continental trophy.
Morocco Leads Group A in a Challenging Pool
The host nation, Morocco, finds itself in Group A, alongside Mali, Zambia, and Comoros.
This group is expected to be highly competitive, with each team looking to make its mark on the tournament.
As the host country, Morocco is naturally one of the favorites, but the other three teams will not go down without a fight.
Egypt Faces a Tough Challenge in Group B
Record seven-time champions Egypt have drawn a tough group in Group B, where they will face Southern African rivals South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe.
South Africa, the bronze medalists from the previous AFCON, will be looking to build on their success, while Angola and Zimbabwe will also provide strong competition.
Egypt will have to work hard if they want to make it past this challenging group.
Group C Sets the Stage for a Competitive Battle
Group C is set to be one of the most exciting in the tournament.
Nigeria will face off against Tunisia, as well as East African teams Uganda and Tanzania, who are co-hosting the AFCON in 2027.
With all four teams bringing their A-game, this group promises to be full of drama and surprises.
Senegal Eyes Another Victory in Group D
Defending champions Senegal, who won the 2021 AFCON, will have their hands full in Group D.
They will take on the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, and Botswana, all of whom are eager to make a statement in the tournament.
As the reigning champions, Senegal will be looking to prove their dominance once again, but the other teams won’t make it easy for them.
Algeria’s Title Defense in Group E
Algeria, who triumphed in 2019, finds itself in Group E alongside Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan.
While Algeria remains a strong contender, their opponents are all capable of pulling off an upset.
This group will feature some of the most exciting matchups as teams fight for a spot in the knockout rounds.
Cote d’Ivoire Seeks Back-to-Back Titles in Group F
Cote d’Ivoire, the defending champions, face fierce competition in Group F.
They will face Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique, with all three teams having a history of strong performances at AFCON.
Cote d’Ivoire will be aiming to defend their title and secure another victory, but the competition will be intense in this group of heavyweights.
The Road to the Knockout Stages
The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16, along with the four best third-placed teams.
With such a high level of competition, every match will be crucial for teams hoping to make it to the next stage and ultimately compete for the prestigious AFCON trophy.
AFCON 2025 Groups Summary
Here’s a quick look at the groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
- Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
- Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
- Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
- Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
- Group F: Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Bafana Bafana’s Journey at AFCON 2025
With the groups now revealed, fans are eager to see how far Bafana Bafana will go in the tournament.
How do you think South Africa will perform? Will they make it past Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe? Let us know your predictions and thoughts in the comments.
For more updates on AFCON 2025 and to follow Bafana Bafana’s journey, be sure to stay connected with The South African website’s dedicated section for the latest news and information.
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