AFCON 2025: Group Stage Matches You Won't Want to Miss!
by Joseph King | by Joseph King
Ivory Coast vs Cameroon
- Date: 28 December 2025
- Time: 20:00 BST
- Group: Group F, matchday 2
- Stadium: Grand Stade de Marrakech
Two of the African Cup of Nations' most successful teams go head-to-head in matchday 2 of the group stage as Ivory Coast takes on Cameroon in Group F. All eyes will be on defending champions Ivory Coast to see if they will be able to mount a serious title defence.
Their first real test will be in the form of five-time winners Cameroon, one of the proudest and most consistent teams in AFCON history.
In their 21 appearances in this competition, the Indomitable Lions have qualified from the group stage on 16 occasions.
Cameroon will be led by Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo, while Brighton’s Carlos Baleba will be holding down the midfield. Ivory Coast will be looking towards their dangerous attacking corps which includes Aston Villa’s Evann Guessand, Sunderland’s Simon Adingra, Man United’s Amad Diallo and the recently recalled Wilfried Zaha to provide the goals.
With Gabon and Mozambique filling out the rest of Group F, this clash between two of the continent’s football giants will very likely determine who finishes top of the standings.
Egypt vs South Africa
- Date: 26 December 2025
- Time: 15:00 BST
- Group: Group B, matchday 2
- Stadium: Grand Stade d’Agadir
Record seven-time champions Egypt take on 1996 AFCON winners South Africa as the two countries from opposite ends of the continent clash.
While he isn’t having the best of times in the 2025-26 season for Liverpool, Mohamed Salah’s greatness cannot be denied. But for all of his success and accolades at the club level, an international title for Egypt still eludes him. The Pharaohs come in as second favourites at most bookmakers to capture their first AFCON title since 2010. An attack of Mo Salah and Man City’s Omar Marmoush will be one of the very best in the tournament.
They’re sure to face a stern challenge from South Africa, who have experienced plenty of success historically against Egypt. Bafana Bafana pulled off the upset to knock Egypt out of the 2019 edition in the round of 16. They also ran out 3-1 winners in a friendly match that these two played in March of this year. It sets a fascinating backdrop to yet another likely group-deciding matchday 2 game in the 2025 African Cup of Nations.
Nigeria vs Tunisia
- Date: 27 December 2025
- Time: 20:00 BST
- Group: Group C, matchday 2
- Stadium: Stade de Fes
In what should be a cracker of a match, three-time AFCON winners Nigeria meet 2004 champions Tunisia for a pivotal matchday 2 fixture in Group C. Nigeria suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in the 2023 final to deny them a first title in over 10 years. Tunisia, meanwhile, have made it to at least the QFs in five of the last seven editions, although only once advancing past that stage (a fourth-place finish in 2019).
These two met in the round of 16 in the 2021 edition, with Tunisia walking away 1-0 victors on the day. Nigeria will be plotting their revenge and will feel they have an excellent shot, especially with striker Victor Osimhen in scorching form.
Victor Osimhen has scored 44 goals in 48 appearances for club and country in the 2025 calendar year.
Osimhen, who will be challenging the likes of Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi for the title of the best player in the 2025 AFCON, will be hoping to lift his side to their first title since 2013. He certainly has the ability to do just that and is in fine form.
Morocco vs Comoros
- Date: 21 December 2025
- Time: 19:00 BST
- Group: Group A, matchday 1
- Stadium: Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah
The opening match of the 2025 African Cup of Nations gives fans their first glimpse at tournament favourites Morocco. The hosts will be expected to start their campaign with an easy three points and many are backing this golden generation to be crowned kings of Africa for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Since their magical 2022 World Cup run which saw them finish in fourth place, Morocco have only lost twice. The Atlas Lions are also fresh off of setting a world record for most senior national team wins in a row at 18 recently before drawing to Oman earlier this month. During that 18-match run, Morocco scored 55 goals and conceded only four.
For as strong of a footballing nation that Morocco has been, it’s therefore surprising to learn that they’ve only made the AFCON finals twice and have only captured one title (1976). On the other side, Comoros will be making only their second ever appearance in the African Cup of Nations.
Senegal vs DR Congo
- Date: 27 December 2025
- Time: 15:00 BST
- Group: Group D, matchday 2
- Stadium: Grand Stade de Tanger
In what has the potential to be one of the most captivating group stage matches, 2021 winners Senegal face dark horse candidates DR Congo in Tangier for the second matchday of Group D.
Fourth-place finishers in 2023, DR Congo will be looking to make the next step in this year's AFCON. They’ll face a mighty challenge in Senegal, although the Leopards should be viewing this as a chance to send a real message to the rest of the teams that they are serious contenders. These two actually faced off in the group stage of the 2023 edition with Senegal cruising to a 3-0 victory.
After winning their maiden AFCON title in 2021, Senegal fell short of a title defence in 2023, suffering a bitter penalty shootout loss to eventual champions Ivory Coast in the round of 16. Premier League fans will recognise many of the faces in the Senegalese team. They include former Liverpool player Sadio Mane, Everton duo Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye, Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr, Tottenham’s Pape Sarr and former Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.
