AFCON 2025 Second Round: Heavyweights meetings deliver, as too strong Nigeria, Algeria and Egypt reach the knockouts
Nigeria, Algeria, and Egypt secured their places in the knockout stages of this year’s African Cup of Nations following impressive wins against their toughest group opponents in the second round, continuing their perfect start so far.
In a decisive round, all the main fixtures did not fail to live up to expectations, with the goals flowing in, and underdogs taking advantage of the favourable fixtures to achieve new milestones.
Mozambique beat Gabon in a thriller to secure their first-ever AFCON win, while Sudan’s Falcon of Jediane earned their first win since 2012 thanks to a late own goal against Equatorial Guinea.
Here is a recap of the actions in round two of the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco, where three teams have secured their places in the knockout round, while a few others have been left on the brink.
AFCON 2025: Nigeria, Algeria, and Egypt reached the KOs
Group A
Mali came to life to end Morocco’s impressive run
Mali brought an end to Morocco’s historic 19-game winning run by holding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations hosts to a 1-1 draw on Friday night.
In a match dominated by VAR-awarded penalties, Brahim Diaz opened the scoring for the Atlas Lions in first-half stoppage time, only for Lassine Sinayoko to equalize from the spot midway through the second half.
The result prevents Morocco from securing a Round of 16 berth with a game to spare, although they remain atop Group A with four points, while Mali stays second with two points, ahead of Zambia.
Mali’s spirited performance also ended Morocco’s remarkable defensive streak of 10 consecutive games without conceding a goal, delivering a useful lesson for the Atlas Lions ahead of higher-stakes games.
Zambia frustrated by resolute Comoros
Zambia missed a vital opportunity to seize control of Group A following a frustrating 0-0 draw against Comoros.
Despite expectations that the Chipolopolo would secure a win to bolster their knockout stage hopes, especially after their impressive draw with Mali, they struggled to penetrate a disciplined Comoros defense.
The island nation proved a constant threat early on, with Myziane Maolida seeing a goal chalked off by VAR for a build-up infringement.
Zambia’s best chance arrived late, but Lubambo Musonda lashed high over the bar from a position of promise, leaving the team requiring a result against hosts Morocco to advance into the knockout stage.
Group B
10-man Egypt first in KOs after controversial win
Egypt became the first team to qualify for the 2025 AFCON knockout stages after a controversial 1-0 win over Engraved Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Mohamed Salah settled the Group B encounter in the 45th minute, fooling Ronwen Williams with a ‘Panenka’ finish” from the penalty spot, which he won after a trailing hand of Khuliso Mudau hit him in the face.
The Pharaohs played the entire second half with ten men after Mohamed Hany received a second yellow card for a stamp on Teboho Mokoena just before halftime, but the South Africans could not convert possession into goals after the break.
The record champions held on for an important win that sends them into the knockout stage, although the top spot could still be snatched by South Africa, depending on the results of their final group games.
Derby stalemate left COFASA rivals on the brink
Angola and Zimbabwe played out a competitive 1-1 draw at the Marrakesh Stadium, leaving both nations winless in Group B as their quest to reach the next round becomes complicated.
Gelson Dala gave the Black Sable Antelopes a deserved lead in the 24th minute, but veteran Knowledge Musona equalized for the Warriors just before the break, a reward for stepping out of the shadow after going down.
Despite Zimbabwe’s dominance in the second half, goalkeeper Hugo Marquez proved unbeatable, producing a string of world-class saves, while opposition goalkeeper Washington Arubi wasn’t less busy either.
Both teams now face a high-pressure final matchday to keep their knockout stage hopes alive, but as for now, the signs aren’t so promising with Egypt awaiting Angola, while Zimbabwe takes on South Africa.
Group C
Penalty miss denied Uganda as Taifa wait continues
Tanzania’s quest for a historic first-ever AFCON finals win remains unfulfilled after a 1-1 draw with Uganda in a match that was there to be won, but they are left to rue missed chances.
Simon Msuva gave the Taifa Stars the lead from the penalty spot in the 59th minute, but substitute Uche Ikpeazu equalized for the Cranes just three minutes after entering the pitch to take the place of Jude Ssemugabi.
Uganda had a golden opportunity to snatch victory in the 88th minute, but Allan Okello sent his penalty over the bar. The result leaves both nations winless in the tournament, requiring victories in their final group fixtures to advance.
Super Eagles soar into the KOs in five-goal thriller
Last time beaten finalist, Super Eagles of Nigeria, have secured a place in the AFCON knockout stages following a dramatic 3-2 victory over Tunisia.
The Super Eagles established a commanding 3-0 lead through Victor Osimhen, Wilfried Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman, who assisted the first two before being teed up by Osimhen for the eventual winner.
However, Tunisia mounted a late comeback via Montassar Talbi and an Ali Abdi penalty as the three-time champions put their foot off the gas after some questionable substitutions by Eric Chelle.
Despite seven minutes of stoppage time and Ferjani Sassi going agonisingly close, Nigeria held firm for their second win in as many games, and snatched the first knockout round ticket in Group C as they continue to make up for their World Cup heartbreak.
Group D
Benin snaps winless streak with historic win
Benin has finally secured its first-ever victory at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, beating Botswana 1-0 in an evenly contested clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Saturday.
The historic result, secured by a Yohan Roche’s deflected strike two minutes before the half-hour mark, ended a grueling 15-match winless streak for the Cheetahs.
Benin’s hopes of reaching the knockout round have now been reignited as they move to three points, one behind first place, while Botswana faces an uphill task to reach the knockout stage for the first time.
Sadio Mané salvages a point in subdued Tangier clash
Senegal and DR Congo played out a subdued 1-1 draw at the Tangier Grand Stadium on Saturday, where they renewed their rivalry with their fourth meeting in less than three years.
After a scoreless first half devoid of shots on target, Cedric Bakambu broke the deadlock for the Leopards in the 61st minute with a close-range tap-in after Edouard Mendy repelled a shot from Theo Bongonda.
The lead was short-lived as Sadio Mane equalized similarly eight minutes later, firing a rebound in off the left post and the goal stood after a VAR review for possible illegality.
Pape Thiaw’s side retained the top spot on goal difference heading into the final round of the group games, and although not yet official, both teams will play in the knockout rounds of the tournament.
Group E
Lucky Sudan upset Nzalang Nacional
Sudan secured a shocking 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in their second 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group E fixture, leaving their dominant opponent on the brink of group elimination.
Played at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca, the match remained scoreless at halftime following a physical opening period marred by injury stoppages, yet well dominated by Nzalang Nacional.
The deadlock was eventually broken 16 minutes from time, when Saul Coco inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, sending the Falcons of Jediane into third place in the group, keeping their knockout stage ambitions alive ahead of their final group encounter against Burkina Faso.
Zidane and Mahrez send Algeria into the KOs
Algeria secured its place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Moulay Hassan Stadium.
In a surprisingly close contest, Riyad Mahrez scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute, marking his 37th international strike.
Despite significant pressure from the Stallions, including a Pierre Kabore header that hit the woodwork, Algeria’s defense held firm as goalkeeper Luca Zidane proved instrumental, and unbeatable, seeing out his second clean sheet in as many AFCON games.
Group F
Mozambique edged Gabon to end a 39-year drought
Mozambique ended a nearly four-decade drought by securing their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations victory with a 3-2 win over Gabon, ending a run of 12 winless games since their tournament debut in 1986.
In a decisive Group F encounter that could define their next round fate in Agadir, goals from Faisal Bangal, Geny Catamo, and Diogo Calila propelled The Mambas to their historic milestone.
Despite a resilient effort from Gabon, spearheaded by a goal from veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mozambique held firm to temporarily move level on points with Ivory Coast and Cameroon.
Diallo belter not enough as Cameroon held the Elephant
Reigning champions Ivory Coast and fellow giants Cameroon played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in the final match of round two at Marrakesh Stadium on Sunday night.
After a scoreless first half that saw both sides strike the woodwork, the game ignited in the 51st minute when Amad Diallo powered a superb strike into the net after a delicious pass from Ghislain Konan.
However, Cameroon restored parity just five minutes later through a Junior Tchamadeu effort that looped over the keeper via a wicked deflection off Konan, leaving the goalkeeper helpless.
That was how it ended, and both teams now tie on points and goals ahead of their final group games, with Ivory Coast playing Gabon while Cameroon takes on the knockout stages hopeful, Mozambique.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
