Africa Cup of Nations 2025: Final Draw and Interesting Games

Group A: Atlas Lions Crack Favourable AFCON Draw

Teams: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros

Morocco made history as the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022, and the stage is now set perfectly for them to bring an end to an almost five-decade continental drought, having last won the AFCON way back in 1976 in Ethiopia. This year could be theirs, so don't miss any of their journey by following our AFCON predictions. The Atlas Lions were drawn into group A alongside Mali, Zambia and Comoros, and will undoubtedly be the favourites to win this section. The major threat for the host nation should come from Les Aigles, who caught the eye in the last edition of the competition where they topped their group unbeaten and went on to reach the quarter-final before bowing out to eventual winners Ivory Coast in extra time. The group will get underway with Morocco taking on the Comoros on December 21, but the blockbuster matchup in this section will come on Boxing Day when the Atlas Lions and the Eagles face off in Rabat.

Group A Standout Fixtures

• Morocco vs. Comoros - (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat | Dec. 21, 2025)
• Morocco vs. Mali - (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat | Dec. 26, 2025)
• Zambia vs. Comoros - (Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca | Dec. 26, 2025)

Group B: Bafana Bafana Drawn into Group of Death

Teams: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe

Group B is widely considered the group of death, featuring three teams - Egypt, South Africa and Angola - that reached the knockout stages of the last tournament in the Ivory Coast. The Pharaohs have a star-studded squad led by Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah and Man City's new recruit Omar Marmoush and are among the favourites to lift the trophy in Morocco. However, South Africa and Angola both outdid Egypt in the last AFCON, reaching the semi and quarter-final respectively, with Bafana Bafana going on to claim third place. Zimbabwe will also be looking to make a mark upon returning to the continental scene and had an impressive qualifying campaign, losing only one of their five matches. This promises to be the most hotly contest group in the competition!

Group B Standout Fixtures

• South Africa vs. Angola - (Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh | Dec. 22, 2025)
• Egypt vs. South Africa - (Adrar Stadium, Agadir | Dec. 26, 2025)
• Angola vs. Egypt - (Adrar Stadium, Agadir | Dec. 29, 2025)
• Zimbabwe vs. South Africa - (Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh | Dec. 29, 2025)

Group C: Super Eagles to Battle Eagles of Carthage

Teams: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania

Nigeria ended as runners-up to the Ivory Coast in the 2023 edition of the AFCON and will be looking to go one better this time around. However, the likes of Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen will need to fend off the challenge brought by Tunisia, who are on the road to redemption after failing to win a single match in the last tournament and being knocked out in the group stage. The Super Eagles and the Eagles of Carthage are joined in Group C by the East African duo of Uganda and Tanzania, who will co-host the 2027 AFCON, and will be hoping to cause a few upsets as the underdogs in this section. 

Group C Standout Fixtures

• Nigeria vs. Tanzania - (Fez Stadium, Fez | Dec. 23, 2025)
• Nigeria vs. Tunisia - (Fez Stadium, Fez | Dec. 27, 2025)
• Uganda vs. Tanzania - (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat | Dec. 27, 2025)

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Group D: Lions of Teranga to Clash Against the Leopards

Teams: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana

Senegal headlines Group D as they go in search of their second continental title after lifting the coveted trophy in the 2021 edition when they beat Egypt in a thrilling finale. Head coach Pape Thiaw has set high ambitions for his team ahead of the tournament but also acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead in this tricky group. The Lions of Teranga crashed out in the last 16 in the Ivory Coast and their biggest obstacle in this year’s tournament is expected to come from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who finished fourth in the last edition. The Leopards were dubbed the “giant killers” in the 2023 competition, as they were the team to send Egypt and Guinea packing in the knockout rounds. While Senegal and DR Congo are expected to battle for the top spots, Benin and Botswana cannot be counted out without a chance following impressive qualification campaigns. 

Group D Standout Fixtures

• Senegal vs. Botswana - (Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier | Dec. 23, 2025)
• Senegal vs. DR Congo - (Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier | Dec. 27, 2025)
• Benin vs. Botswana - (Al Barid Stadium, Rabat | Dec. 27, 2025)

Group E: Algeria and Burkina Faso Resume Rivalry

Teams: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Like Tunisia, Algeria were one of the biggest disappointments in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations where they were eliminated from the competition in the group stage without winning a single game. The Desert Warriors were drawn against Burkina Faso in the last tournament and the two are set to resume their rivalry this year in Morocco after being inseparable last time out when they played to a 2-2 draw. Equatorial Guinea are the lurkers in this group after an excellent showing in the Ivory Coast where they won their group which featured the likes of Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau, while Sudan is widely expected to fight an uphill battle to secure a spot in the knockout round.

Group E Standout Fixtures

• Algeria vs. Sudan - (Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat | Dec. 24, 2025)
• Algeria vs. Burkina Faso - (Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat | Dec. 28, 2025)
• Equatorial Guinea vs. Sudan - (Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca | Dec. 28, 2025)

Group F: The Elephants Look to Defend AFCON Title

Teams: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

Ivory Coast, the host nation of the 2023 edition of the AFCON, had an incredible tournament on their home soil. After an underwhelming group stage, the FIF opted to axe Jean-Louis Gasset mid-way through the competition, yet the team still managed to rise to glory, beating Nigeria in the final. The Elephants will be tested again in their title defence, set to lock horns with African powerhouse Cameroon, who fell to the Super Eagles in the last 16 of the previous competition. Gabon and Mozambique round out the final group of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with the latter aiming for improvement after failing to win a match in the last tournament. 

Group F Standout Fixtures

• Ivory Coast vs. Mozambique - (Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh | Dec. 24, 2025)
• Ivory Coast vs. Cameroon - (Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh | Dec. 28, 2025)
• Gabon vs. Mozambique - (Adrar Stadium, Agadir | Dec. 28, 2025)