AFCON 2025: Group B action intensifies in key double-header
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Reading Time: 4min | Fri. 26.12.25. | 08:20
Angola take on Zimbabwe in the first match of the day before attention shifts to the headline clash between Egypt and South Africa.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage resumes today, Friday, 26 December, after a one-day break to celebrate Christmas, with Round Two matches in Group B taking centre stage.
Angola take on Zimbabwe in the first match of the day before attention shifts to the headline clash between Egypt and South Africa.
Ahead of today’s fixtures, South Africa sit top of the group with three points, level with Egypt, while Zimbabwe and Angola occupy the bottom two places without a point.
Angola vs Zimbabwe
Angola face Zimbabwe in their second Group B match at the Stade de Marrakech from 1530 hrs (EAT) in the opening game of the day.
The Palancas Negras head into the encounter following a disappointing 2-1 loss to group leaders South Africa in their opening match. Despite creating several goal-scoring opportunities, Angola could only convert once and were left frustrated by the result.
They will therefore be hoping to be more clinical against Zimbabwe as they chase a victory that would significantly boost their qualification chances.
In their previous nine-second group-stage matches at AFCON, Angola have won three, drawn four and lost twice. They will be keen to register a fourth victory at this stage, this time at the expense of Zimbabwe.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Angola head coach Patrice Beaumelle shared his expectations of the opponents.
“This will be a crucial match for both teams. We have analysed Zimbabwe, a team with a new dynamic, a lot of movement and pace. They play without fear and we expect an open game,” said Beaumelle.
Defender Jonathan Buatu noted that the team had taken positives from the defeat to South Africa.
“We looked at our mistakes, but also at what we did well. The objective is to bring those positive elements into the next match and be more effective,” stated Buatu.
Zimbabwe also suffered a 2-1 defeat in their opening match, going down to Egypt after a stoppage-time winner by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah completed the ’ second-half comeback.
The Warriors believe they could have managed the game better, particularly in the closing stages, and will view this match as an opportunity to make amends.
Head coach Marian Marinica stressed the importance of putting the Egypt loss behind them.
“This group is very balanced. We lost in the final minutes of the first match, but mentally we must move forward. The past is behind us,” noted Marinica.
His sentiments were echoed by captain Marvelous Nakamba.
“The team is ready. We have worked, analysed our match and now we are focused only on Angola,” said the Luton Town midfielder.
The match will be officiated by Kenyan referees, with Peter Kamaku serving as the centre referee, assisted by compatriots Gilbert Cheruiyot and Stephen Yiembe as first and second assistant referees respectively.
Egypt vs South Africa
Egypt and South Africa, both winners on Matchday One, will square off at the Grande Stade d’Agadir from 1800 hrs (EAT).
The encounter is expected to be a high-octane affair, with both sides eager to secure a win that would seal qualification to the Round of 16.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two giants at the AFCON finals. In their previous three encounters, Egypt have won twice, while South Africa claimed victory once.
Overall, the two nations have faced each other 14 times, with South Africa winning eight matches, Egypt four, and two ending in draws.
South Africa will draw confidence from the fact that they are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Egypt, winning four and drawing two.
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos praised Egypt’s pedigree but remained confident in his side’s ability to claim all three points.
“We are excited to play Egypt and we know what kind of team they are. They are seven-time champions of this competition and that means something,” said Broos.
“They have amazing players like Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush and others, which makes them very dangerous. However, we are approaching the game with confidence, knowing we are a good team as well. We have our qualities and we will try to show them,” he added.
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan also spoke highly of South Africa, acknowledging their quality and history, while expressing confidence in his team’s preparation.
“South Africa is a very strong team which we respect. They have shown high performance and are among the favourites for this competition,” said Hassan.
“We have a long history against them; sometimes they won, sometimes we won. This is a new opportunity. We have analysed their strengths and weaknesses. They are very aggressive and play a short-passing game, but as a technical bench we have devised plans to contain them,” he added.
Kenyan referee Dickens Mimisa will serve as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the highly anticipated encounter.
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