- As Zambia and Comoros share points
- Salah’s penalty gifts Egypt knockout stage qualification as South Africa fall 0-1
- Angola, Zimbabwe draw 1–1 in Marrakech
Hosts, Atlas Lions of Morocco and the Eagles of Mali battled to a 1–1 draw in a tightly contested Group A match of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Rabat, leaving qualification for the Round of 16 to be decided on the last day.
Picking up from their opening game dazzling performance, the Atlas Lions dominated possession in the first half but found it difficult to break in early against a disciplined Malian side, well organized and compact across the lines.
The Coach Walid Regragui’s men probed patiently and were eventually rewarded in stoppage time. Following a VAR review on a handball, Morocco was awarded a penalty, which Brahim Díaz calmly converted to give the hosts a narrow advantage at the break.
Mali emerged from the break with renewed belief and were quickly back on level terms in similar kind as did Morocco in finding the opener.
Few minutes past the hour mark, Lassina Sinayoko was brought down inside the penalty area and took responsibility on the resulting spotkick, expertly tucking it away to draw his side level.
Despite the pushing forward in search of a decisive goal, increasing the tempo and introducing fresh attacking options, the Moroccans’ sustained pressure failed to break through a resilient Malian Eagles’ backline.
In the group’s final round of matches, Morocco take on Zambia, while Mali face Comoros, with qualification for the knockout phase still firmly within reach for both teams.
Zambia 0–0 Comoros
Zambia’s Chipolopolo and Comoros’ Les Coelacantes played out a goalless draw on Friday at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, in their second Group A fixture of the ongoing AFCON tournament in Morocco.
With great intensity, both sides contested every ball fiercely the goals refused to come. The draw sees Zambia moving up to two points, keeping their qualification hopes fully intact heading into the third and final round of group matches.
Meanwhile, Comoros got their first point of the tournament to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage going into the last match day.
Both countries will look to secure their first victory of the group stage in the final round of matches, with Comoros taking on Mali, and Zambia confront hosts Morocco.
Egypt Beat South Africa 1-0
The Pharaohs of Egypt have become the first team to qualify for the knockout stage in the ongoing 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
All thanks to Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty which proved decisive, the Egyptians secured their qualification with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Grand Stade d’Agadir on Friday.
In a tense and evenly balanced contest, both sides were cautious in possession with clear chances very much in short supply.
However, the breakthrough came on the stroke of half-time following a VAR review, which saw the referee award Egypt a penalty after Khuliso Mudau was judged to have fouled Mohamed Salah inside the area. The Egyptian captain remained composed, converting confidently down the middle to claim his second goal of the tournament.
Moments later, the complexion of the game changed dramatically with Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany shown a second yellow card for a late challenge shortly after the restart, leaving the Pharaohs to defend their slender advantage with ten men for the entire second half.
South Africa responded by taking control of possession and pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Hugo Broos’s side applied sustained pressure but found it difficult to break down a disciplined Egyptian defence marshalled by Yasser Ibrahim, with goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy producing a calm and assured performance.
Late drama followed in stoppage time when South Africa appealed for a penalty after a shot appeared to strike Yasser Ibrahim’s arm inside the area. After a VAR review, the referee upheld his original decision.
The result moves Egypt to six points in Group B, confirming their place in the Round of 16 with a match to spare. South Africa remain in contention, but must now win their final group fixture to guarantee progression.
Egypt will conclude their group campaign against Angola on Monday, while South Africa face a decisive Southern African derby against Zimbabwe at the Marrakesh Stadium.
Angola, Zimbabwe End It 1-1
The Palancas Negras of Angola and the Warriors of Zimbabwe ended their Group B encounter one-all at the Stade de Marrakech on Friday, leaving them still searching for their first victory in Morocco 2025.
The competitive clash saw both defences tested but it was Angola who struck first, with Zimbabwe responding late in the first half to share the spoils.
The Angolans opened the scoring in the 24th minute through a well-worked move where Gelson Dala finished with composure. He fired a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner after a precise through ball from Tó Carneiro split the Zimbabwe defence. It was Angola’s reward for their early pressure and attacking intent, sparking celebrations among their supporters.
Gradually growing into the game, Zimbabwe were rewarded in first-half stoppage time of 45+6th minute. It was Knowledge Musona, who capitalised on a fast break to fire a composed right-footed finish from the right side of the box into the bottom left corner to level the scores. Bill Antonio was the assist provider on the night.
The draw leaves both Angola and Zimbabwe without a win in AFCON 2025. Their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages now hinge on strong performances in their remaining group matches, as they build on this performance to secure vital points in the qualification race – With CAFonline.com reports
