Morocco, Algeria, and Nigeria Land Favourable Draws in AFCON 2025, South Africa in “Group of Death”

The widely anticipated draws for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held yesterday in the capital city of Rabat.

Host nation Morocco, Algeria, and Nigeria have been handed comfortable group stage opponents, while South Africa finds itself in the “Group of Death” alongside Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe.

Although Guinea were originally set as this year’s hosts in 2023, Morocco will instead host the tournament for the first time since 1988 after the Syli National conceded that it was not adequately prepared to host the event.

The Road to AFCON Glory

24 teams have been drawn into six groups of four, with each team facing three group stage matches in a round-robin format.

The top two teams from each group will automatically qualify for the knockout stages, while the third-placed teams will battle it out for the remaining spots.

Of the six teams who finish third, only the best four will make up the rest of the numbers in the round of 16. From this stage, it becomes a knockout tournament all the way to the final game on 18 January, 2026.

The Groups

Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros

Morocco, the tournament hosts, have a favourable draw, with Mali, Zambia, and Comoros providing the opposition.

Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe

This group is shaping up to be a real battle, with South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe all vying for a spot in the knockout stages against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt.

Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania

Nigeria’s new coach, Éric Chelle, will be hoping for a flying start when the Super Eagles open their campaign against Tanzania, before crucial clashes against Tunisia and Uganda.

Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana

2021 AFCON winners Senegal will be looking to make a strong statement in this group, with DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana providing the competition.

Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Algeria have been handed a favourable draw, with Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and war-torn Sudan making up the group.

Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

Ivory Coast will begin the defence of their title against Os Mambas, before facing Cameroon and Gabon in a tough but manageable group.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

Now that the stage is set, the question on everyone’s mind is: which team will rise to the occasion and claim the ultimate prize in African football?

FULL DRAW:

Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros

Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe

Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania

Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana

Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique.

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