Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations reaches its thrilling conclusion today, with two pivotal matches set to determine the final knockout stage qualifiers. The spotlight is firmly on Marrakesh, where South Africa's Bafana Bafana face a must-win encounter against Zimbabwe. Simultaneously, already-qualified Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, take on Angola with top spot in the group at stake.
High Stakes for Bafana Bafana in Must-Win Clash
After a narrow 1-0 defeat to Egypt in their previous match, a result sealed by a Mohamed Salah penalty, the South African squad finds itself in a precarious position. They currently sit on three points in the group standings. To guarantee their progression to the round of 16 and continue their Afcon 2025 journey, nothing less than a victory over Zimbabwe will suffice. The pressure is immense for Hugo Broos's side, who entered the tournament as one of the fancied contenders.
Their opponents, Zimbabwe's Warriors, present a dangerous and motivated obstacle. Having secured a single point from their draw with Angola, Zimbabwe are not yet out of the running. A win against South Africa could see them pull off a major tournament shock and potentially send one of the pre-competition favourites home prematurely. This sets the stage for a tense and potentially explosive encounter where both teams have everything to fight for.
Egypt Aim to Secure Top Spot Against Angola
In the other Group B fixture kicking off at the same time, the Pharaohs of Egypt have the relative comfort of having already secured their passage to the knockout phase. Their victory over South Africa ensured their place in the last 16. However, the eight-time champions, spearheaded by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, will be determined to finish the group stage strongly.
A positive result against Angola would see them maintain top position in Group B, which could prove advantageous for the draw in the next round. Angola, however, will be aiming to disrupt Egypt's plans and finish their own campaign on a high note, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this fixture despite the differing stakes for each team.
What Happens Next?
The outcomes of these two matches will definitively shape the knockout bracket. A South African win sees them through, likely in second place unless Angola can pull off a surprise against Egypt. A draw or loss for Bafana Bafana opens the door for Zimbabwe to stage a remarkable escape, depending on the result in the other game. All will be decided on Monday 29 December 2025, as the group stages of Afcon 2025 reach their dramatic climax.
Follow our live blog for all the latest team news, minute-by-minute updates, and post-match analysis from these crucial Afcon 2025 encounters.
