AFCON 2025: Dramatic Finish in Group A and Winning Starts for Favorites in Group B

On the second matchday of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, fans witnessed three intense encounters across Groups A and B, featuring dramatic endings and standout individual performances.

Group A: Zambia Snatch a Point in Stoppage Time

Mali came agonizingly close to victory against Zambia but dropped two crucial points in the dying moments — 1:1.

The Eagles dominated from the opening whistle, controlling possession and pinning their opponents deep in their own half for most of the match. Mali created constant pressure, while Zambia were repeatedly rescued by goalkeeper Willard Mwanza, who also saved a penalty from El Bilal Touré.

After an hour of play, Mali finally broke through. Osasuna winger Lassine Sinayoko reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and fired a powerful shot to put his side ahead. Victory seemed certain, but in stoppage time Zambia capitalized on a set-piece mistake — Leicester City striker Patson Daka won an aerial duel and headed home the equalizer to make it 1:1.

Mali 1–1 Zambia
Goals: Lassine Sinayoko (61’) — Patson Daka (90+2’)

Group A standings:
Morocco — 3 pts
Mali — 1
Zambia — 1
Comoros — 0

Group B: South Africa’s Confident Start and Egypt’s Late Triumph

In Group B, South Africa opened their campaign with an important 2:1 victory over Angola. Early in the match, Orlando Pirates midfielder Oswin Appollis took advantage of a defensive clearance error to open the scoring. Angola responded by seizing the initiative, and on the 35th minute Kocaelispor midfielder Show equalized following a set piece.

In the second half, South Africa increased the tempo, and the decisive moment came in the 79th minute when Burnley forward Lyle Foster coolly curled the ball into the top corner to secure all three points for Bafana Bafana.

The clash between Egypt and Zimbabwe proved equally dramatic — 2:1. The underdogs took a surprise lead through Prince Dube of Tanzanian club Young Africans, but from that point on it was almost all Egypt. The Pharaohs enjoyed 77% possession and fired 35 shots on goal. The breakthrough came after the break: Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush leveled the score, and in stoppage time Liverpool star Mohamed Salah struck the winning goal, once again confirming his leadership role.

South Africa 2–1 Angola
Goals: Oswin Appollis (21’), Lyle Foster (79’) — Show (35’)

Egypt 2–1 Zimbabwe
Goals: Omar Marmoush (64’), Mohamed Salah (90+1’) — Prince Dube (20’)

Group B standings:
South Africa — 3 pts
Egypt — 3
Zimbabwe — 0
Angola — 0

AFCON 2025 continues to gather momentum, with four Group C and D matches scheduled for December 23:
DR Congo vs Benin
Senegal vs Botswana
Nigeria vs Tanzania
Tunisia vs Uganda