Latest news with #2025AfricaCupofNations
Morocco World
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Morocco Crushes Cameroon 8-1 to Reach Women's Futsal AFCON Semifinals
Rabat – The Atlas Lionesses trashed Cameroon in a heated AFCON futsal encounter. With an impressive 7-1 score, the Moroccan ladies left their opponents wallowing in defeat. After this breathtaking triumph on Thursday evening in Rabat, Morocco's women's futsal team booked a place in the semifinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The win, Morocco's second in as many matches, confirmed the team's dominance in Group A and secured their ticket to the next round. They had already brushed past Namibia 8-1 in the tournament opener on Tuesday. Backed by a lively home crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, the Moroccan side showed control, confidence, and hunger. From the opening minutes, the Atlas Lionesses played with intent, keeping the ball moving and pressing high to disrupt Cameroon's composure. Morocco secured a commanding victory over Cameroon in the Women's Futsal AFCON quarterfinals, with goals from Amal El Ouafi (4′), Chirine Knaidil (15′), Meryem Hajri (28′), Doha El Madani (33′), Siham Tadlaoui (40′), and Malak Al Kilani (40′), while an own goal from Cameroon's Yvana Mbozomo in the 12th minute added to the scoreline. Cameroon's only response came from Brunelle Beulou in the 17th minute. Morocco now tops Group A with six points. The final group match between Cameroon and Namibia is set for Saturday evening. According to the tournament format, the top team from each group advances to the semifinals, along with the best runner-up. The finalists of this year's edition will also secure a spot in the first-ever FIFA Women's Futsal World Cup, set to take place in the Philippines from November 27 to December 7. Tags: AFCON women futsalAtlas LionessesfutsalMorocco sports
CAF
04-02-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025: What Can the "Returnees" Do?
Gabon, Benin, Uganda, Botswana, and Zimbabwe are returning to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals after missing out on the last edition played last year in Cote d'Ivoire. CAFOnline takes a closer look at the chances of these teams as they prepare to make a grand return to Africa's most prestigious competition. Gabon: Huge Challenges Against Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire Gabon qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations TotalEnergies Morocco after finishing second in Group B with 10 points, behind Morocco (18 points). The Panthers return to the continental showpiece after their 2021 appearance in Cameroon, where the team, then led by French coach Patrice Neveu, was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Burkina Faso. Placed in Group F, the team led by Thierry Mouyouma has not been fortunate with the draw, as they find themselves in a group with Cameroon (5-time champions), Cote d'Ivoire (3-time champions and defending champions), and Mozambique. The Panthers, who will participate in their ninth TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, have more than a few tricks up their sleeve and will be able to count on not only their solid defense in development, but also key players such as Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Bouanga, Jim Allevinah, and Delor Kanga to help them advance from this tough group. Benin: Drawing Inspiration from the 2019 Feat Benin returns to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations after missing the previous two editions in Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroon. The West African country's last participation was in 2019 in Egypt, where they achieved the remarkable feat of reaching the quarterfinals. This was the team's first-ever appearance in the quarterfinals, and they will now make their fifth appearance in Morocco. Benin narrowly qualified after finishing second in Group D of the qualifiers with 8 points, tied with Rwanda (third place) but with a better goal difference, and behind Nigeria (11 points). The task ahead looks daunting for Benin, who are placed in Group D alongside Senegal (winners of the 2021 edition), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (semi-finalists in the last edition), and Botswana. However, the team can rely on the experience of their coach, Guernot Rohr, who led Nigeria's Super Eagles to a bronze medal in the 2019 Egypt edition. Captain Steve Mounié and his teammates will also look to draw inspiration from their impressive 2019 run, where they defied expectations. Zimbabwe: Facing Major Opponents Zimbabwe's last appearance was in the 2021 edition in Cameroon. The team, which finished fourth in Group B with 3 points, behind Malawi (4 points), Guinea (4 points), and Senegal (5 points), was eliminated in the group stage. Zimbabwe qualified for the finals in Morocco after finishing second in Group J with 9 points, behind Cameroon (14 points). The Warriors managed to outclass Kenya (6 points) and especially Namibia, which had reached the Round of 16 in the last edition. In Group B, coach Michael Nees and his players face a tough challenge against Egypt (the most successful team in the competition with 7 trophies), South Africa (third-place finishers in the last edition), and Angola (quarterfinalists last year). Uganda: Drawing Inspiration from the Qualifiers Uganda's last participation was in 2019 in Egypt. That year, the Ugandan Cranes finished their campaign in the Round of 16 after placing second in Group A with 4 points, behind the host nation, Egypt (9 points), and ahead of the DR Congo (third place with 3 points). After losing 1-0 to Senegal in the Round of 16, the country failed to qualify for the next two editions. Uganda had an excellent performance during the qualifiers, finishing second in Group K with 13 points, behind South Africa (14 points). The Cranes recorded four wins, one draw, and one loss, enough to inspire confidence going to Morocco. In Group C, Uganda faces two African football giants: Nigeria (three-time AFCON winners) and Tunisia (winners in 2004), as well as Tanzania, their East African neighbour and co-host for the 2027 edition of the AFCON. The task will not be easy for Paul Put and his players, but they can draw inspiration from the team's remarkable run to the final in 1978. Uganda also reached the semifinals in the 1962 edition. Botswana: The Underdog with Great Potential In Morocco, Botswana will only be making its their second appearance. The country's only previous participation was in 2012, a co-hosted edition by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, where they were eliminated in the group stage, finishing last in Group D with 0 points behind Guinea (4 points), Mali (6 points), and Ghana (7 points). Thirteen years later, the Zebras return with much greater ambitions after an impressive qualifying campaign where they surpassed Cape Verde and Mauritania—both teams that participated in the last edition—to secure second place in Group C with 8 points, behind Egypt (14 points). Their crucial double victory over Cape Verde, a quarter-finalist in the last AFCON, during the qualifiers proves that Thabang Sesinyi and his teammates have the potential to make their opponents in Group D, including Senegal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Benin, take notice.
Ya Biladi
28-01-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
AFCAN 2025 draw : Discover Morocco's opponents
The draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) was announced on Monday, setting the stage for a thrilling tournament hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The host nation, represented by the Atlas Lions, finds itself in Group A alongside Mali, Zambia, and the Comoros. Group B is set to deliver high-stakes drama with a marquee matchup between seven-time champions Egypt and last year's finalists, South Africa. Meanwhile, Group F is poised for intense battles, featuring Côte d'Ivoire, the reigning African champions from 2023, and Cameroon, a perennial powerhouse. Additionally, Algeria, the 2019 champions in Group E, and Senegal, the 2021 winners in Group D, are expected to draw significant attention. 2025 Afcon groups : 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: Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique Moroccan fans are eagerly awaiting the opening match against the Comoros on December 21 in Rabat. The Atlas Lions, who reached the finals in 2004 and the semi-finals in 2023, are determined to claim their first title since 1976. Morocco will host the tournament across nine stadiums in six cities—Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fez, and Tangier. The country aims to use this Africa Cup of Nations to further solidify its status as a leader in African sports.
BBC News
27-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Afcon 2025 groups: Nigeria go face Tunisia, odas for Group C
Nigeria dey for Group C for di 2025 Africa Cup of Nations wey go happun for Morocco later dis year. Nigeria Super Eagles go face Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania. Cameroon dey for Group F and dem go face defending champions Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon and Mozambique. All di 24 teams (kontris) wey qualify for di biggest football tournament don know who dem go face. Morocco go host di 2025 Afcon for di first time since 1988. Di tournament go start from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. See di full groups below. Di Afcon 2025 Groups 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 Republic, Botswana Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan Group F: Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique How CAF classify di teams See di 24 teams wey qualify for di tournament and di pots wey dem dey ahead of di draws. Pot 1: Morocco (hosts), Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana African legends Mustapha Hadji, Serge Aurier, Aliou Cisse and Joseph Yobo assist wit di draws. Cote d'Ivoire na di defending champions as dem host di 2023 edition wey happun for early 2024.
BBC News
27-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Holders Ivory Coast pit against Cameroon in Afcon 2025 draw
Holders Ivory Coast have drawn Cameroon in the group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in a glittering ceremony in Rabat, the Elephants were drawn in Group F, where they will also face Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's Gabon and Mozambique. Africa's biggest sporting event will begin on 21 December and run until 18 January 2026. The opening match will pit hosts Morocco against Comoros. Nigeria, who lost to Ivory Coast in the Afcon 2023 final, will play in Group C alongside Tunisia. In the same group, Uganda and Tanzania, two of the co-hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, have been pitted against each other intriguing regional contests, three southern African teams will feature in Group B, with South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe all drawn together along with Mohamed Salah's Egypt. Sudan, who qualified for Afcon 2025 despite the country being engulfed in a civil war, will face Algeria in Group E. Moroccan legend Mustapha Hadji was among the celebrated footballing figures on hand to assist with the him was former Nottingham Forest and Tottenham defender Serge Aurier, twice an Afcon winner with Ivory Coast. Joseph Yobo, captain of Nigeria's Afcon winning team in 2013, was also on hand to pick out the former Afcon-winning coach Aliou Cisse, who led the Teranga Lions to victory in 2021, also assisted, with his nation drawn in Group D alongside DR Congo. The 24 teams have been split into six groups. The winners and runners-up in each group, plus the best four third-placed teams, will reach the knockout phase. Morocco on show Morocco, who will also host this year's Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), stepped in as Afcon 2025 hosts after Guinea were stripped of the tournament because of concerns about infrastructure and hours before Monday's draw began, the local organising committee announced that Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes and Tangier will host matches during Afcon 2025 across nine stadiums will be in the capital Rabat, where the final will be played at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay are World Cup co-hosts in 2030, along with Spain and Portugal, and plan to build a 115,000-seater stadium on the outskirts of Casablanca by 2027, which they hope could stage the global final. Afcon 2025 group draw in full Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, ComorosGroup B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, ZimbabweGroup C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, TanzaniaGroup D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, BotswanaGroup E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, SudanGroup F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
