AFCON 2025 MD2 Preview: High-Stakes Group Stage Second Matches Set to Thrill Football Fans
Addis Ababa, December 25, 2025 (FMC) — Africa’s top national football teams are gearing up for the second round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage, promising high-intensity clashes that could reshape the tournament standings.
With several heavyweight matchups scheduled, fans across the continent are in for an action-packed weekend.
The fixtures kick off on Friday, December 26, with Egypt facing South Africa in what promises to be a tactical showdown between two of Africa’s most decorated football nations. Meanwhile, Morocco takes on Mali, a match that could test the reigning champions’ depth and adaptability.
The same day, Zambia battles Comoros, while Angola meets Zimbabwe, both encounters expected to be fiercely contested.
On Saturday, December 27, attention turns to Group C and D fixtures, with African powerhouses Nigeria clashing with Tunisia and Senegal meeting DR Congo. Both games carry huge implications for qualification to the knockout stages, featuring squads rich in talent from top European leagues. Uganda vs Tanzania and Benin vs Botswana round out the day’s fixtures, offering competitive football across the groups.
Sunday, December 28, will see Ivory Coast take on Cameroon and Algeria face Burkina Faso, matches that could define the destiny of these teams in the tournament. Other contests include Gabon vs Mozambique and Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan, rounding out an exciting second matchday.
As the second round unfolds, analysts predict tactical battles, surprise upsets, and standout performances from Africa’s emerging stars. Fans are eagerly anticipating the results, which will not only influence group standings but also shape the narrative for the knockout stages of the continent’s premier football competition.
The buildup to this second round comes on the heels of a spectacular tournament opening, where hosts Morocco kicked off AFCON 2025 with a convincing 2‑0 win over Comoros in the opening match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, thanks to goals from Brahim Díaz and a stunning overhead strike by Ayoub El Kaabi.
That result not only thrilled home fans but also extended Morocco’s record winning run to 19 matches and put the Atlas Lions firmly atop Group A after the first game.
Across the rest of Matchday 1, several heavyweights registered positive starts: Egypt edged Zimbabwe 2‑1 with a late Mohamed Salah winner, Senegal opened with a commanding 3‑0 victory over Botswana, and Nigeria beat Tanzania 2‑1 in another competitive fixture.
Elsewhere, South Africa secured a 2‑1 win against Angola, Tunisia defeated Uganda 3‑1, and Algeria powered past Sudan 3‑0, showing early signs of form to watch in the group stage.
These early results have set up a compelling second matchday, with top sides eager to build momentum and establish themselves as serious contenders in the race for knockout qualification.