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RE-LIVE: Updates on today's matches and key events at AFCON 2025 in Morocco (26 December)

Published:

22:30 GMT
That brings an end to today’s live coverage from Morocco.Good night from the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, Morocco 2025 — and we’ll be back tomorrow as the story continues.


22:25 GMT
Tomorrow promises more decisive encounters as teams push either to seal early qualification or rescue their AFCON campaigns before it is too late. As the tournament sharpens, so too does the drama.

22:20 GMT
Earlier in the day, the battle for survival in Group B intensified. Egypt’s perfect start to the tournament leaves the seven-time champions clear at the summit with six points from two games, while South Africa stay second on three points. Angola and Zimbabwe, both on one point, now face must-win scenarios in the final round as the margins for error disappear.

With the first two matchdays now complete, the picture across the groups is becoming clearer — but far from settled. Qualification remains wide open in several sections, pressure is mounting on those yet to secure a win, and every remaining fixture now carries knockout-level consequences.

22:15 GMT
Matchday 5 of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations delivered another day of tension, fine margins and shifting group dynamics as the second round of group-stage matches continued across Morocco. The headline fixture in Group A ended all square, with hosts Morocco and Mali playing out a 1–1 draw, both goals coming from the penalty spot. The result keeps Morocco top of the group on four points after two matches, maintaining their unbeaten start, while Mali remain firmly in contention with two points, level with Zambia but ahead on goal difference. Comoros, despite their fighting spirit, sit fourth with one point as the group heads toward a decisive final round.


22:10 GMT – FULL-TIME
Morocco 1–1 Mali
A controlled, mature performance from the hosts and Mali. Morocco and Mali claim a point each in Group A, strengthening their chances of qualifying. Mali are left with work to do in their final group match while a draw will secure a place for Morocco

21:45 GMT
Mali continue to push, but Morocco’s defensive structure holds firm. The hosts manage the game intelligently, slowing the tempo and limiting clear chances.

21:35 GMT
📰 AFCON context update
With this scoreline, Morocco and Mali are on course for qualification for the last 16 but they must do more. Mali face real pressure heading into the final group match.

21:27 GMT – GOAL (Mali)
Morocco 1–0 Mali

Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.


21:27 GMT
VAR Decision: Penalty Mali.

21:20 GMT
Morocco continue to circulate the ball calmly, drawing Mali out of shape. The Atlas Lions appear comfortable, but the margin remains slender.

21:08 GMT – SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
Back underway in Rabat. Mali make a more assertive start, pressing higher as Morocco look to control rather than accelerate.

20:51 GMT – HALF-TIME
Morocco 1–0 Mali
The hosts head into the break with the lead. Mali have competed well but must now take greater risks to revive their campaign.



20:47 GMT – GOAL (Morocco)
Morocco 1–0 Mali


Brahim Díaz (Morocco) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.

20:45 GMT
VAR Decision: Penalty Morocco after fourth official announced added time.

 


20:40 GMT
Mali respond with intent, pushing their midfield higher and attempting to quicken transitions. Morocco, however, remain disciplined, happy to manage the tempo.

20:30 GMT

The pressure tells. A patient move down the right ends with Ayoub El Kaabi shooting just wide. Meanwhile Kylian Mbappe is in the stadium to watch the big match. because the AFCON is different.




20:20 GMT
📰 AFCON context update
A reminder that Mali have not won their second group game at AFCON since 2004. Morocco, meanwhile, are unbeaten in 16 of their last 19 second group-stage matches.

20:10 GMT
Early control from Morocco, with long spells of possession as expected. Mali remain compact, pressing selectively and trying to force turnovers rather than chase the ball.

20:00 GMT – KICK-OFF
The match is underway in Rabat. Hosts Morocco get the second half of Matchday 5 rolling, knowing a win would virtually book their place in the knockout stage. Mali, in white, look to disrupt the rhythm early.

19:56 GMT
Final instructions are delivered. The stakes are clear: control and qualification for Morocco, resistance and revival for Mali.

19:55 GMT
🎶 National anthems
Both teams emerge for the formalities, exactly 5 minutes before kick-off. The Moroccan anthem is met with a powerful roar from the stands, followed by Mali’s, greeted with respectful applause.

19:47 GMT
Warm-ups are done under clear Rabat skies. The contrast in styles were evident: Morocco’s structured passing drills against Mali’s high-intensity, transitional work. Meanwhile the Mali coach seems to have another profession:





19:46 GMT
📰 Stat spotlight
Morocco are unbeaten in their last 12 AFCON group-stage matches, while Mali have not won their second group game at the tournament since 2004. 


19:45 GMT
🗣 Team news watch
Morocco remain close to full strength, with only Romain Saïss sidelined. Achraf Hakimi continues to be managed as he is not in the starting line-up. Mali report a fully fit squad.

 


19:40 GMT
👥 Teams arrive at the stadium
Right on cue, both squads arrived one hour and thirty minutes before kick-off, in line with CAF protocol. Morocco appear calm and composed, while Mali’s body language reflects focus rather than intimidation.

19:40 GMT
📰 Historical note
This is only the second AFCON finals meeting between Morocco and Mali, the first coming in the 2004 semi-final — a match that ended in a 4–0 Moroccan victory and still stands as the hosts’ biggest AFCON win.


19:37 GMT
🏟 Stadium atmosphere
The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is already filled up. Home supporters arrive in numbers, draped in red and green, aware that victory tonight would all but confirm Morocco’s progress.



19:35 GMT
🗣 Pre-match tone
Morocco coach Walid Regragui has described this fixture as “the real start of the competition”, a recognition that Mali represent a different level of challenge. Across the Malian camp, Tom Saintfiet insists his side will not retreat into caution despite the occasion.

19:33 GMT
📰 AFCON context
Group A has tightened rather than clarified. Morocco lead after their opening win, but Mali’s late concession against Zambia has left them needing a result tonight to avoid pressure heading into the final round.

 

🔄 Smooth transition from Casablanca

19:30 GMT
As the dust settles in Casablanca following the 1–1 draw between Zambia and Comoros, attention shifts swiftly to Rabat, where Group A reaches a defining moment. Hosts Morocco return to the spotlight knowing that a second consecutive victory would virtually seal their place in the knockout stage.




🔁 LIVE BLOG CONTINUES — Matchday 5, Group A

Morocco vs Mali | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat | Kick-off: 20:00 GMT

 

 



19:30 GMT
🔔 FULL-TIME
Zambia 1–1 Comoros

A result that reflects the balance of the contest and leaves Group A delicately poised, with everything now riding on the final round of matches.

 



19:23 GMT
⏱ ADDED TIME
Seven minutes added in Casablanca as both teams push for a decisive moment.

19:20 GMT
The match opens up, with both sides committing numbers forward. Tension rises as spaces appear.


19:15 GMT
📰 Group A scenario
As things stand, both teams sit level, keeping qualification wide open ahead of Morocco vs Mali later tonight.

18:55 GMT
Comoros increase tempo and press higher, forcing Zambia to defend deeper and manage the game carefully.

18:37 GMT
▶️ SECOND HALF
The second half gets underway with Comoros showing more urgency.

18:23 GMT
⏸ HALF-TIME
Zambia 0–0 Comoros
Zambia head into the break with with a draw against Comoros after VAR ruled out a goal scored against the Chipolopolo. 

18:00 GMT
📰 AFCON update
With Morocco later facing Mali tonight, this result could significantly shape Group A before the hosts take the field.


  17:53 GMT
NO GOAL – Zambia 0-0 Comoros
VAR check reverses the goal following a foul in the middle of the pitch preceding the goal. 

17:50 GMT
⚽ GOAL – Zambia 0-1 Comoros
Egypt break the deadlock.  Myziane Maolida (Comoros) left footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rafiki Saïd. VAR Check

17:50 GMT
A cautious opening phase. Zambia dominate possession but Comoros remain organised, closing spaces efficiently in midfield.

17:40 GMT
Zambia start on the front foot, looking to impose rhythm early, while Comoros sit compact and look to spring forward on transition.

⚽ MATCH ACTION

17:30 GMT
⚽ KICK-OFF
Zambia get the match underway in Casablanca as Group A’s second-round contest begins.




17:25 GMT
🎶 National anthems
The teams emerge for the formalities. Zambia’s anthem is followed by Comoros’, as the atmosphere builds inside the historic Mohammed V Stadium.


17: 20 GMT
Warm-ups conclude under clear Casablanca skies. Zambia captain Fashion Sakala leads final instructions, while Comoros forward Myziane Maolida looks sharp in shooting drills.


17:20 GMT
📰 Key stat watch
Zambia are winless in their last 11 AFCON finals matches, while Comoros have won two of the last three meetings between the sides — both at COSAFA level.


17:20 GMT
🗣 Pre-match tone
Zambia coach Moussa Sichone has stressed discipline and patience, while Comoros boss Stefano Cusin insists his side must play with courage and intent. This has all the hallmarks of a tense, tactical encounter.

17:20 GMT
👥 Teams have already arrived at the stadium
Right on schedule, both squads arrive at the Mohammed V Stadium, exactly ten minutes before kick-off. Zambia’s mood is focused and calm; Comoros appear equally determined after earning plaudits despite defeat to hosts Morocco.


17:15 GMT
📰 AFCON context
Group A remains finely balanced after Morocco’s opening win and Zambia’s dramatic late draw against Mali. A victory tonight would significantly strengthen a path to the last 16, while defeat could prove costly with just one group match remaining.

🔄 Seamless transition from Agadir

17:10 GMT
With Egypt’s hard-fought win over South Africa settling Group B matters for the evening, the focus now shifts north to Casablanca, where Group A enters a decisive phase. Zambia and Comoros meet knowing that defeat would leave qualification hopes hanging by a thread.




🔁 LIVE BLOG CONTINUES — Matchday 5, Group A

Zambia vs Comoros | Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca | Kick-off: 17:30 GMT





🔔 FULL-TIME
Egypt 1–0 South Africa

Egypt claim a crucial victory in Agadir to move onto six points and take control of Group B, while South Africa are left with work to do heading into the final round.




16:50 GMT
South Africa push for an equaliser, testing Egypt’s defence with direct balls and late runs into the box. VAR check for a possible penalty for South Africa. No penalty.


16:40 GMT
📰 Group B scenario
As things stand, Egypt move to six points, putting them firmly on course for the knockout stage.

16:25 GMT
South Africa respond by committing more numbers forward, increasing the tempo as Egypt drop slightly deeper.

16:10 GMT
South Africa push forward with intent, while Egypt absorb pressure and wait for openings on the break.

16:05 GMT
▶️ SECOND HALF
The teams return with urgency as the second half begins.


15:50 GMT
⏸ HALF-TIME
Egypt 1–0 South Africa
A tense first half ends Egyptians leading this match, shaped by tactical discipline and mutual respect.


15:47 GMT
RED CARD: Second yellow card to Mohamed Hany (Egypt) for a bad foul.


15:45 GMT
⚽ GOAL – Egypt 1-0 South Africa
Egypt break the deadlock.  Mohamed Salah (Egypt) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the centre of the goal.




15:44 GMT
Egypt increase pressure, pushing higher and circulating the ball patiently, but South Africa’s back line remains organised. Penalty conceded by Khuliso Mudau (South Africa) after a foul in the penalty area.

15:30 GMT
📰 AFCON update
Across Matchday 5 so far, fine margins continue to define the second round, with no team yet securing qualification mathematically.

15:20 GMT
South Africa threaten on the counter, but Egypt’s defensive shape holds. The tempo is high, with both sides fully aware of what is at stake.

15:10 GMT
Early probing from both sides. Egypt dominate possession, while South Africa remain compact and disciplined, looking to spring transitions.

 



⚽ MATCH ACTION

15:00 GMT
⚽ KICK-OFF
South Africa get the match underway in Agadir as Group B’s headline clash begins.



15:55 GMT
🎶 National anthems
The teams emerge to a packed stadium. Egypt’s anthem is followed by South Africa’s, as tension and anticipation ripple through Agadir.


14:48 GMT
📰 Key stat spotlight
South Africa are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Egypt (W4 D2), while Egypt have lost just once in their last 23 AFCON group matches.


14:45 GMT
🟢 Official team sheets circulating
Final preparations continue on the pitch as coaching staff conduct last inspections. This is Egypt’s chance to secure successive AFCON group wins for the first time since 2019; South Africa are chasing a rare second straight group-stage victory.



14:45 GMT
📰 AFCON context
Group B is delicately poised. Egypt and South Africa sit on three points, while Angola’s win has tightened the race. A draw tonight keeps the group open; a win could create early separation.


🔁 Transition: From Marrakech to Agadir

14:40 GMT
With Angola drawing with Zimbabwe earlier today to revive their Group B hopes, attention now shifts west to Agadir, where two AFCON heavyweights prepare for a defining second-round clash. Egypt and South Africa, both winners on Matchday 1, meet knowing that victory here would put one foot in the knockout stages.

🔴 LIVE: AFCON 2025 – Matchday 5

Egypt vs South Africa | Group B | Kick-off: 15:00 GMT | Agadir

14:32 GMT
🔔 FULL-TIME
Angola 1–1 Zimbabwe

Angola and Zimbabwe claim their claim one point each, reigniting their Group B hopes of reaching the knock out stages of the competition.



14:20 GMT
Bafana Bafana arrived with some high level of energy:



14:15 GMT
Meanwhile in the next match of the day, Egypt and South Africa have arrvied in the stadium ahead of their clash in Agadir. Mohamed Salah leads his team with some high lovel of focus

 

 




14:05 GMT
Angola are dominating taking the game to the Zebras.

13:55 GMT
Angola increase tempo after the restart, pushing numbers forward and forcing Zimbabwe deeper into their own half.

13:39 GMT
▶️ SECOND HALF
The teams are back out in Marrakech as the second half gets underway.


13:23 GMT
⏸ HALF-TIME
Angola 1–1 Zimbabwe
A tense, disciplined first half ends with Zimbabwe holding Angola as both teams prioritising structure over risk.



13:22 GMT
⚽ GOAL – Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe with as swift counter-attack. Goal! Knowledge Musona (Zimbabwe) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Bill Antonio following a fast break.

13:05 GMT
📰 AFCON update
Across the tournament so far, second-round matches have seen tighter margins, with no side winning by more than one goal heading into today.

12:55 GMT
⚽ GOAL – Angola
Angola break the deadlock with a well-worked move, finishing decisively inside the box to take a 1–0 lead. Gelson Dala (Angola) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Tó Carneiro with a through ball.



12:30 GMT
⚽ KICK-OFF
Angola vs Zimbabwe is underway in Group B at the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.



12:25 GMT
Everything is set in Marrakech. Angola and Zimbabwe know the significance: win today and belief surges; lose, and qualification hopes fade sharply.

12:25 GMT
🎶 National anthems
The teams line up in the tunnel and walk onto the pitch as the national anthems of Angola and Zimbabwe are played — a moment of focus and pride before a potentially defining Group B contest.

12:10 GMT
Warm-ups are done on the Marrakech pitch as both teams return to the dressing room, with intensity already visible in passing drills and shooting routines.

12:05 GMT
This is the first-ever AFCON finals meeting between Angola and Zimbabwe — though the sides know each other well from qualifiers and regional competition.

12:00 GMT
Players from both teams are now inside the stadium, beginning dressing-room preparations ahead of warm-ups almost done.



 



11:50 GMT
AFCON news: Elsewhere today, attention will later turn to Egypt vs South Africa, a fixture that could decide Group B leadership before the final round.


11:35 GMT
🚌 Angola team arrived at the stadium in good spirits too and their line-ups will be out shortly with some changes in the squads expected.

 

11:30 GMT
🚌 Check out how the Zimbabwe team arrived at the stadium
The Warriors stepped off the bus focused and composed, with several players acknowledging supporters as they chanted and entered the stadium.



11:30 GMT
🚌 Team arrival window opens
Both teams are expected on the pitch of the Grand Stade de Marrakech shortly, following CAF protocol of arrival 90 minutes before kick-off. The dressing rooms are set:

 



11:20 GMT
Zimbabwe captain Marvelous Nakamba has stressed emotional control, describing the match as “a test of maturity as much as ability.”

11:10 GMT
Group B scenario:
– Egypt: 3 pts
– South Africa: 3 pts
– Angola: 0 pts
– Zimbabwe: 0 pts
A win today would immediately reshape the group.

11:00 GMT
Just under 90 minutes to kick-off in Marrakech. The pitch conditions are reported to be excellent, with clear weather and a lively early crowd beginning to gather as the two teams arrive in the stadium.

10:50 GMT
AFCON update: Following Matchday 4, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire have all put themselves in strong positions, while several groups remain finely balanced heading into the second round.

10:40 GMT
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are still searching for their first AFCON clean sheet in history. Their last match again showed attacking intent — but also late vulnerability.

10:30 GMT
Angola head coach Patrice Beaumelle has spoken of “continuity and correction,” insisting his side’s opening defeat did not reflect their performance level.


10:20 GMT
Tournament context: After the first round, only two teams remain without a clean sheet in Group B. Defensive concentration is expected to be a key theme this afternoon.

 10:10 GMT
This is already a high-stakes encounter. With Egypt and South Africa also in Group B, defeat today would leave either Angola or Zimbabwe facing a steep climb toward qualification. And so far two players have two goals each:


 


10:00 GMT
Welcome to Matchday 5 of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, where the tournament enters the decisive second round of group-stage matches. Today’s opener in Group B sees Angola and Zimbabwe meet in Marrakech, both chasing their first points after narrow opening defeats.



🔴 LIVE: AFCON 2025 – Matchday 5

Angola vs Zimbabwe | Group B | Kick-off: 12:30 GMT | Marrakech

All times GMT



The 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations moves into a decisive new phase today in Morocco as Matchday 5 marks the beginning of the second round of group-stage fixtures.

The opening round delivered early drama, goals and statements of intent, with 29 goals scored, six clean sheets recorded and several heavyweight contenders laying down early markers while emerging sides showed they will not be easily dismissed. These are all the goals scored in the first round of matches of the Group Stage.


From Morocco’s composed opening victory to late drama involving Zambia, Egypt and Burkina Faso, the first set of matches underlined just how fine the margins already are at AFCON 2025. The goal by Ayoub Al Kaabi is still the talk of the competition so far.


Today’s fixtures raise the stakes further, with teams now chasing momentum, recovery or consolidation as qualification battles begin to take clearer shape.

Angola and Zimbabwe open the day in a must-win Group B encounter at 12:30 GMT, before a heavyweight clash between Egypt and South Africa at 15:00 GMT takes centre stage.

Later, Zambia face Comoros at 17:30 GMT before hosts Morocco close the night against Mali at 20:00 GMT, as this live blog brings you rolling updates, key moments and tournament context throughout Matchday 5 — all times in GMT.