Category: Football Africa

Senegal thrash Benin as DR Congo progress with a heavy win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal thrash Benin as DR Congo progress with a heavy win

Senegal secured a position in the Round of 16 by defeating Benin with a decisive 3-0 victory in their final Group D match at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The match, held in Tangiers, showcased Senegal’s strong performance, beginning with a header from Abdoulaye Seck in the 38th minute, assisted by Krépin Diatta’s well-executed set piece.

Sadio Mané later provided a critical pass to Habib Diallo, who extended the lead with a composed finish in the 62nd minute.

Despite Kalidou Koulibaly receiving a red card after a VAR review in the 71st minute, Senegal demonstrated resilience and maintained their advantage, culminating in a penalty converted by Cherif Ndiaye in stoppage time.

This victory confirms Senegal’s position at the top of Group D, while Benin also advances to the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.

In a parallel match, DR Congo triumphed over Botswana with a convincing 3-0 scoreline, securing second place in Group D.

Gael Kakuta delivered an outstanding performance, contributing two goals and an assist, illustrating his pivotal role in the team’s success.

Nathaniel Mbuku opened the scoring, with Kakuta converting a penalty just before halftime and subsequently completing his brace.

This result positions DR Congo for an upcoming match against Algeria in the Round of 16.

Tunisia progress as Nigeria wrap-up Group D with a comfortable win
by FSL News

Tunisia progress as Nigeria wrap up Group C with a comfortable win

At the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, Tunisia progressed to the Africa Cup of Nations round of sixteen after their 1–1 draw with Tanzania on Tuesday.

Tunisia started strong, keeping possession early, but failed to increase their pace. They threatened the goal with Ismael Gharbi, whose powerful shot hit the post.

Just before halftime, Tunisia scored. Hazem Mastouri was fouled in the box by Bakari Mwamnyeto, and after a long VAR review, Tunisia was given a penalty. Gharbi converted the penalty, putting Tunisia ahead 1–0.

The first half was low in energy, but Tunisia managed their lead comfortably. After halftime, Tunisia chose to defend their lead instead of attacking further. This cautious strategy allowed Tanzania to gain confidence and push forward.

Tanzania found their chance in the 54th minute when Feisal Salum made a great shot from the edge of the area. The ball surprised goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen and went into the netlevellingng the score.

In the final minutes, both teams made substitutions and appeared satisfied with a 1–1 draw. This result secured Tunisia’s place in the Round of 16 as the group’s second-placed team, while Tanzania kept hopes alive for qualification as one of the best third-placed teams.

Tunisia’s Coach Sami Trabelsi emphasised the importance of qualifying, stating, “We haven’t performed well in recent years, so this matters. We need to improve for the stronger teams ahead.” Tanzania’s Coach, Miguel Gamond, expressed pride in his team’s effort, noting the significance of this qualification for Tanzanian football.

Nigeria topped the group with a 3-1 victory over Uganda, effectively ending Uganda’s campaign. Nigeria’s Paul Onuachu opened the scoring in the 28th minute, while Raphael Onyedika scored twice after Uganda’s Salim Magoola received a red card in the 56th minute. Uganda managed to score in the 75th minute through Rogers Mato.

Nigeria finished with three wins, and Onyedika, named Man of the Match, reflected on his happiness and the need for focus in both practice and games.

Comoros, Zambia and Zimbabwe eliminated from AFCON 2025
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Comoros, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been eliminated from AFCON 2025

After the intense third round of matches, three nations have faced elimination from the 2025 Cup of Nations.

Comoros drew 0-0 with Mali. Despite this draw, Mali secured a spot in the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025.  They finished their final Group A match at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Monday night without scoring.

As a result, Comoros departed the tournament in third place with two points, falling short of qualification as one of the best third-placed teams.

Zambia lost 3-0 to the host team, Morocco. Morocco topped Group A and advanced to the round of sixteen after their decisive victory over Zambia in their last group match on Monday night.

Moses Sichone – Zambia Coach: “It was a tough day for us. We gave Morocco too much respect, and some players seemed nervous. Congratulations to Morocco; they took advantage of our lack of confidence. We improved in the second half, but it was too late.”

Zimbabwe lost 3-2 to South Africa. They finished at the bottom of Group B with no wins, one draw, and two losses.

In a contest shaped more by tension than creativity, Mali did just enough to secure the point they required to finish second in the group and advance to the Round of 16, while Comoros’ hopes of extending their tournament ended despite a spirited display.

Zimbabwe coach Mario Marinica stated, “We knew South Africa would dominate at times since they like to control the ball. We capitalised on opportunities and were dangerous in transition, which helped us regain control of the match. At this level, every mistake is costly. We focused on staying organised, winning duels, and controlling second balls.”

South Africa book last 16 spot with a win over Zimbabwe as Egypt and Angola draw
by Football Sierra Leone

South Africa book last-16 spot with a win over Zimbabwe as Egypt and Angola draw

South Africa advanced to the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, securing a narrow 3–2 victory against a determined Zimbabwe team in a closely contested Group B match on Monday.

The match displayed significant tension, remaining uncertain until the final whistle. Yet, South Africa demonstrated commendable composure under pressure to achieve a result that could be pivotal for their qualification efforts.

Bafana Bafana commenced the match strongly, taking an early lead within the first seven minutes. Tshepang Moremi seized on a deflected effort, skillfully lifting the ball over goalkeeper Arubi to establish an advantage for South Africa.

Buoyed by this initial success, South Africa maintained an aggressive offensive presence, with Thapelo Mbule and Oswin Appollis significantly contributing to the team’s attacking drive.

Zimbabwe displayed resilience as Tawanda Maswanhise equalised in the 19th minute with a powerful strike. However, South Africa regained the lead shortly after the break when Lyle Foster scored with a skilful lob in the 50th minute.

Zimbabwe remained a threat, with Maswanhise hitting the post midway through the second half. The match was ultimately decided in the last fifteen minutes when a VAR review awarded South Africa a penalty for a handball by Marvellous Nakamba. Oswin Appollis converted it in the 82nd minute, extending South Africa’s lead as they held on to win. 

Meanwhile, Angola and already qualified Egypt fought to a tense 0–0 draw in their group stage match at the Stade d’Agadir, with Angola dominating possession but Egypt’s defence securing a hard-earned point.

Zambia must win against Morocco to secure AFCON round of 16 qualification
by Football Sierra Leone

Zambia must-win against Morocco to secure AFCON round of 16 qualification

Zambia must go all out to secure a victory against Morocco in their final group match of the Africa Cup of Nations, taking place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium this coming Monday.

A win is essential for Zambia to enhance their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage. Zambia drew in their last match against Comoros and accumulated only two points from their initial two games.

Morocco was held to a 1-1 draw by Mali, resulting in their failure to secure qualification for the round of 16 ahead of this crucial fixture.

Currently, Morocco leads Group A with four points, placing them two points ahead of second-placed Mali. A draw in this upcoming match would suffice for Morocco to advance to the knockout stage.

In their opening match, the Atlas Lions showcased a strong performance, defeating Comoros 2-0. Despite the draw with Mali impacting their path to the next round, Morocco will be keen to perform well and avoid any further setbacks against Zambia.

While Zambia has struggled offensively, its defensive capabilities remain a notable strength. The Chipolopolo have not secured a victory in the competition since their triumph in 2012 and will be eager to break this streak.

In terms of head-to-head encounters, Morocco has faced Zambia three times in AFCON history, achieving two victories and one draw.

From a team news perspective, Morocco’s manager, Walid Regragui, has confirmed that Achraf Hakimi will be available for selection in this match, although it is uncertain whether he will start.

Unfortunately, the squad may be without Romain Saiss and Hamza Igamane. Conversely, Zambia reports no injury concerns ahead of the match.

Nigeria and Algeria join Egypt into round of sixteen
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria and Algeria join Egypt in the round of sixteen

The final round of group matches in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco 2025 starts on Monday, with many teams still in contention for the knockout stage.

So far, only three teams, Egypt, Nigeria, and Algeria, have secured spots in the Round of 16 by winning their first two matches. The remaining positions will be decided in the final group games.

All matches on Monday will happen simultaneously, raising the stakes for teams. In Group B, Egypt leads with six points and has advanced. South Africa, with three points, faces Zimbabwe, while Angola and Zimbabwe are tied with one point. Angola must win against Egypt to have a chance.

In Group A, Morocco tops the group with four points, while Mali and Zambia have two, and Comoros has one. Morocco plays Zambia, and Mali meets Comoros.

On Tuesday, Group C will see Nigeria, which has already qualified, play Uganda. Tunisia, with three points, will face Tanzania, and both are still in the running.

Group D features Senegal and DR Congo with four points, Benin with three, and Botswana still looking for their first point. Senegal faces Benin, and DR Congo plays Botswana.

In Group E, Algeria has qualified, but Burkina Faso and Sudan, both with three points, are competing for the last spot. Group F has Cameroon and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire tied with four points, while Mozambique has three points.

CAF noted that the final matches promise to deliver exciting outcomes.

Final round of group-stage fixtures (all times GMT)

Monday 29 December

  • 16:00 — Angola vs Egypt

  • 16:00 — Zimbabwe vs South Africa

  • 19:00 — Zambia vs Morocco

  • 19:00 — Comoros vs Mali

Tuesday 30 December

  • 16:00 — Uganda vs Nigeria

  • 16:00 — Tanzania vs Tunisia

  • 19:00 — Benin vs Senegal

  • 19:00 — Botswana vs Congo DR

Wednesday 31 December

  • 16:00 — Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria

  • 16:00 — Sudan vs Burkina Faso

  • 19:00 — Gabon vs Côte d’Ivoire

  • 19:00 — Mozambique vs Cameroon

 

Mozambique stun Gabon in historic AFCON 2025 victory
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mozambique stun Gabon in historic AFCON 2025 victory

The Mambas, who had struggled for nearly 16 matches without a victory on the continental stage, finally turned their fortunes around with an impressive performance at the Stade Adrar.

The match came alive just before halftime when Faizal Bangal put Mozambique in front in the 37th minute, deftly heading home a brilliant cross from Geny Catamo. Just five minutes later, Mozambique extended their lead when Dominguês was brought down in the penalty area by Bruno Ecuele Manga.

Catamo calmly stepped up to take the penalty, placing the ball in the bottom left corner with precision.

Gabon, however, found a glimmer of hope deep into the stoppage time of the first half through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The seasoned striker capitalised on a rebound after Didier Ndong’s initial shot was parried, solidifying his legacy as one of the oldest goalscorers in AFCON finals history.

The momentum shifted back to Mozambique shortly after the break; in the 52nd minute, Diogo Calila leapt highest in the centre of the box to meet a cross from Witi, powering a header into the roof of the net and restoring the two-goal cushion.

In response, Gabon made several tactical adjustments, bringing on Alex Moucketou-Moussounda and Royce Openda to enhance their attack. The pressure from the Panthers finally bore fruit in the 86th minute when Moucketou-Moussounda found the net from close range following a corner, setting up a nail-biting finish.

Despite late efforts from Mario Lemina and Jacques Ekomié, Mozambique’s goalkeeper, Ernan Siluane, stood firm, making several critical saves to maintain their lead.

When the final whistle blew, it marked a historic achievement for Mozambique, ending a nearly four-decade wait for a win at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Post-match Reaction from Geny Catamo, the TotalEnergies Man of the Match for Mozambique, “I am incredibly proud to represent Mozambique and to have played a part in our first-ever victory at the Africa Cup of Nations. We take great pride in this win, and I hope it inspires us to keep working hard for more victories in the future. I urge everyone to keep supporting us; together we can go far, and our goal is to keep pushing ahead in this tournament.”

Gabon 2-3 Mozambique
Goalscorers: P. E. Aubameyang 45+5, A. Moussounda 76e / F. Bangal 32e, G.Catama 42e (P), D. Callila
Nigeria edge Tunisia in five-goal thriller to reach AFCON knockout stage
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria edge Tunisia in five-goal thriller to reach AFCON knockout stage

Nigeria secured a thrilling 3-2 victory against Tunisia in Fez on Saturday night. This win allowed Nigeria to qualify for the Round of 16 in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) taking place in Morocco in 2025.

In an exciting match, Nigeria took an early lead of 3-0, but Tunisia mounted a late comeback, pulling within one goal before Nigeria secured the win. Ademola Lookman was key for Nigeria, contributing two assists and a goal.

He assisted Victor Osimhen’s opening goal before Wilfred Ndidi doubled the lead with a header. Lookman scored in the 66th minute after a setup from Osimhen.

Tunisia fought back, with Montassar Talbi scoring a header from a free-kick and Ali Abdi converting a penalty after VAR ruled a handball. They nearly equalised in stoppage time, but Ferjani Sassi’s header missed wide.

With this win, Nigeria leads Group C with six points and will face Uganda next, while Tunisia, now with three points, plays Tanzania. Lookman, named Man of the Match, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and his own role.

Nigeria’s coach, Eric Chelle, praised the team’s intensity and ball recovery. In contrast, Tunisia’s coach, Sami Trabelsi, acknowledged their disappointment but highlighted the positives in their late performance, emphasising the need to capitalise on chances in future matches.

AFCON 2025: Mane rescues Senegal in draw with DR Congo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

AFCON 2025: Mane rescues Senegal in draw with DR Congo

Ex-Liverpool forward Sadio Mane scored the equaliser as Senegal avoided a DR Congo upset, while Benin beat Botswana in their Group D second matches on Saturday.

The Africa Cup of Nations continues this Saturday with an important match between Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In their last first-round encounter, the teams concluded with a 1-1 draw.

Sadio Mané was awarded the TotalEnergies Man of the Match for his outstanding performance and goal against DR Congo.

Senegal started strong, dominating possession but struggling with final passes and missed chances, including from Jackson, Sarr, and Mané. DR Congo, while disciplined, had a disallowed goal for offside.

As the second half progressed, Senegal’s intensity dropped, allowing DR Congo’s Bakambu to score after a mistake by Mendy. However, Senegal quickly equalised when Ibrahim Mbaye set up Sadio Mané.

The match ended intensely, with both teams pushing for victory but ultimately drawing 1-1, each earning a fourth point in the tournament.

Earlier on, Benin recorded its first AFCON win in their history

Yohan Roche netted a deflected goal to secure Benin’s first-ever victory at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, leading to a 1-0 win against Botswana in their Group D match in Rabat on Saturday.

With this win, Benin now has three points after two games, putting them on equal footing with Senegal and the DRC, who are set to face off later on Saturday in Tangier.

The breakthrough came in the 28th minute, when Roche combined with captain Steve Mounie for a quick one-two inside the box. His shot from about 9 meters (10 yards) took a significant deflection off a defender, finding its way into the net.

Mali's Tom Saintfiet expresses satisfaction after drawing with Morocco
by Football Sierra Leone

Mali’s Tom Saintfiet expresses satisfaction after drawing with Morocco

Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet has expressed his satisfaction following the 1-1 draw between his team, Mali, and the AFCON host nation, Morocco, in their Group A match on Saturday.

The match, which took place in Rabat, was keenly contested and ended in a draw, leaving the qualification for the Round of 16 to be determined on the final matchday.

Coach Tom Saintfiet commented, “We dedicated two to three hours to analysing the Moroccan team. In the beginning, they performed well; however, after some substitutions, we were able to address their transition effectively.

The first 10 minutes of the second half presented us with good opportunities. While Morocco launched strong attacks, we were fortunate to have experienced players who managed those challenges well. I am pleased with my team’s performance, and we will work on building their confidence as we prepare for the next match, where a victory is essential.”

Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui remarked, “We played an intense match and had the opportunity to secure a win. Congratulations to Mali for obtaining a point.

We need to remain resilient; conceding a penalty is a part of the game, and we must not lose hope. Winning the Africa Cup of Nations is a long journey, and while we did not achieve the desired outcome today, we remain confident as we head into the final group match.”

Morocco will face Zambia, and Mali takes on Comoros in the Group A final round of matches, with qualification for the knockout phase still firmly within reach for both teams.