The final round of group-stage matches at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 kicks off on Monday, with most teams still fighting for qualification as the race for the knockout stage reaches its peak.
According to the Confederation of African Football, only three teams — Egypt, Nigeria and Algeria — have already booked places in the Round of 16 after winning their opening two matches. The remaining slots will be decided in the final set of group fixtures.
CAF explained that the closing games will determine not only the top two teams in each group, who qualify automatically, but also the best third-placed teams eligible to advance to the knockout phase.
This was contained in a CAF release on Monday titled, “AFCON 2025: Final group games begin as knockout race tightens in Morocco.” The statement noted that the last round of matches begins with qualification still wide open for most teams, keeping the tournament’s trademark late drama alive.
To increase the tension, CAF confirmed that matches within each group will be played simultaneously.
In Group B, Egypt lead with six points and are already through, but the remaining qualification places remain undecided. South Africa sit second on three points and take on Zimbabwe, while Angola and Zimbabwe are both on one point, with Angola needing a win against Egypt and favourable results elsewhere.
Group A is also finely poised, with hosts Morocco top on four points. Mali and Zambia are tied on two points, while Comoros have one. Morocco face Zambia, while Mali take on Comoros in matches that will determine the final group standings.
Action continues on Tuesday with Group C, where Nigeria have already qualified and face Uganda. Tunisia, on three points, meet Tanzania, with all three teams behind Nigeria still in contention. Group D is equally tight, with Senegal and DR Congo on four points, Benin on three and Botswana yet to pick up a point. Senegal play Benin, while DR Congo face Botswana.
The group stage concludes on Wednesday. In Group E, Algeria have secured qualification, while Burkina Faso and Sudan, both on three points, battle for the remaining spot. Group F sees Cameroon and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire tied on four points, with Mozambique still in the hunt on three points despite Gabon’s elimination.
CAF added that the opening rounds have once again shown AFCON’s unpredictability, with the final group matches, spread across three days, expected to deliver decisive twists.
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 DR Congo
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
