AFCON 2025: Sensational fixtures headline round 2 of AFCON group phase

What a feast we have in front of us in the second round of the AFCON group phase, you must be there. (Photo credit: CAF) The Africa Cup of N...

What a feast we have in front of us in the second round of the AFCON group phase, you must be there. (Photo credit: CAF)

The Africa Cup of Nations will serve us lots of sensational fixtures in the second round of the group phase; you don’t want to miss it.

In each group, there’s a juggernaut fixture or at least one pivotal game that has a huge bearing on qualification for the next round. This is why we love AFCON, and this is why we’re asking for respect for the African championship.

In Group A, tournament hosts and people’s favourite, Morocco, will take on Mali. The Atlas Lions beat Comoros on the opening day 2-0; now they face the Eagles of Mali, who drew their opener against Zambia. In the other fixture of the group on Friday, Comoros will face Zambia; what a scene there.

In Group B, it’s another interesting scene. Angola lost it late against South Africa; to earn a ticket to the next round, the Palancas Negras must do it the hard way. Angola must beat Zimbabwe, who lost their opener to Egypt, and then hope to earn something against Mohammed Salah’s Egypt in their final game.

In the same group, two opening-day winners, Egypt and South Africa, will go head-to-head on Friday. This is a major fixture, as it ultimately determines who tops the group between the two African giants, and both are looking to fly Africa’s flags at the 2026 World Cup.

In Group C, the first game of the day on Saturday would be between Uganda and Tanzania. Both sides lost to Tunisia and Nigeria, respectively, and they both need a result to give hope for a possible qualification to the next round.

In the other fixture, it’s Nigeria against the Carthage Eagles. It’s a game of huge significance as they both fight for group leadership. Nigeria owe their fans lots of compensation after their embarrassing World Cup qualifying campaign; this will be a huge test.

Benin Republic and Botswana will face off on Saturday in Group D, with both looking for results after both losing their respective openers to DR Congo and another tournament favourite, Senegal. Neither Botswana nor the Republic of Benin can afford to lose this one.

Senegal against DR Congo is a massive fixture. Congo DR is still basking in the euphoria of a potential World Cup qualification; they need to keep going here as they face Senegal. The 2021 champions must recover from their previous campaign's failure.

Algeria vs Burkina Faso on Sunday is a huge fixture. Both sides are big in their own rights; they both have top players who can decide games. Which of them will come out on top? Equatorial Guinea and Sudan face off in the other game of the group; we look forward to fun there as well.

Gabon and Mozambique will play first in Group F; however, the one between Cameroon and Ivory Coast is that fixture we’re all waiting for. The reigning champions are up against African heavyweights like Cameroon; we cannot wait.