Afcon 2025, the rainbow of nations

 December 21^st of 2025 marks the start of the 35^th edition of the African Cup of Nations, almost 69 years after the opening edition.

Since 2019 the event has 24 national sides, continuing to lack a 21^st century vision, as well as FIFA and the other football confederations, paving way to best third spots which usually award sides that play just for the point. Until 2017 the average draws were under 25 percent and since the inception of the 32 teams with best thirds qualifications the draws grew, over 30 percent in 2019, almost 33 percent in 2021 and plus than 36 percent in 2023.

We have proposed a 32-side tournament with six teams per group, five group matches each and a top four qualification for the last 16 or a top two qualification for last 8, it would be a much fairer and interesting event, this extended to all football events which use the best third criteria.

We will continue battling for this change!

Half the world is here! Clubs from 79 different countries are present through their players, from the African sides to almost the entire European football, from 1^st to 4^th or 5^th tiers, to Asia, Western, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern, to Australia, to America, from North to South! This shows the magnitude of the African football growth and development throughout the world.

Curiously, there are 24 nations present but the birthplace of the footballers goes way beyond that, they were born in 43 different countries! 30 percent of the total players called up were born in Europe, half of them in France, which accounts for 107 out of the 684 footballers present.

The average age range from 25,43 of Zambia, 25,60 Cameroon, 25,97 Benin, 26,21 South Africa, 26,22 Mali, 26,47 Burkina Faso, 26,68 Ivory Coast, 26,84 Tanzania, 26,85 Algeria, 26,99 Comoros, 27,17 Equatorial Guinea, 27,31 Senegal, 27,36 Nigeria, 27,42 Morocco, 27,63 Gabon, 27,64 DR Congo, 27,76 Uganda, 27,90 Zimbabwe, 28,70 Tunisia, 28,73 Angola, 28,81 Sudan, 28,85 Egypt, 29,00 Mozambique, up to 30,08 of Botswana.

As host, Morocco takes the advantage, the top four of the 2023 edition will have some challenges to repeat the feat, Ivory Coast beat Nigeria in the final and South Africa and DR Congo played for third spot, but 50 years after their first and last conquest, 1976, Morocco will do all to achieve the second continental title.

12 out of the 24 finalists have already won the tournament before.

Zimbabwe and Mozambique will try to beat their low streak, 6^th presence but never went through the group stage, Tanzania will have its 4^th, also never passed the group stage.

Held in Morocco, during winter, it will be a different tournament, perhaps more suitable for the European-based players, who will not need to face further weather challenges, but there’s the Christmas break who will be spent away from the family, playing the tournament, this will favor the Northern African Muslim nations.

So, Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Mali will have the upper hand.

Eastern African nations still have the chance to present newbies, Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia and also Southern sides Botswana and South Africa play with multiple local or almost all, being this Afcon the perfect turf to show their skills and perhaps have a European, American or Asian fat contract! Scouts be ware and prepared! 

Matchday 1

The opening match of the competition saw host Morocco beat Comoros 2-0, with the island keeper still stopping a penalty but unable to prevent the expected home win. El Kaabi scored a bicycle kick for the second goal of the match, already candidate to goal of the tournament.

The second day of the first matchday saw Zambia getting a late draw against favorite Mali. Patson Daka netted the equalizer and kept Zambia chances open for the tournament.

Group B started with both matches ending in a 2-1 result, with South Africa beating Angola and Egypt only reaching the win in stoppage time by the inevitable Salah.

The third day of the 2025 African Cup of Nations saw no surprises. DR Congo did just enough to overcome minnows Benin with the only goal of the match being scored by Theo Bongonda. The Spartak Moscow Belgian-born attacker gave the important win for the opening match.

One of the favorites for the win, Senegal started the tournament with a comfortable win over Botswana, 3-0 with a double from Jackson to confirm the status.

English-born mature back centre Ajayi gave the lead to Nigeria, but Tanzania came back with Maltese league M'Mombwa drawing, but another British-born, Lookman, secured the vital win for the Super Eagles only a couple of minutes after the 1-1.

Although a small advantage, Nigeria dominated the match and can only blame itself for not achieving a more comfortable win in this opening match of Group C.

Tunisia didn't stumble and controlled Uganda easily. French-connection was on full power with Skhiri opening the score and FC Copenhagen starlet - with little to none utilization at Vitória Guimarães - but who went on the shine in the Danish Superligaen and scoring a brace to assure an easy win for the Eagles of Carthage.

Rwandan side APR forward Denis Omedi gave Ugandan Cranes the consolation goal in injury time.

The 1st matchday ended with groups E and F. Burkina Faso saw Marvin Anieboh, Madrid-born Equatorial Guinean footballer giving an unexpected lead, with Equatorial Guinea already one man down, five minutes from the 90. The favorite side was losing five minutes into injury time but Ivory Coast-born MLS starlet Minougou tied the match and eight minutes into injury former Vitória Guimarães Edmond Tapsoba gave the win to Burkina Faso. It was a very close call.

Algeria thrashed Sudan with Mahrez as their star, scoring twice against a very poor Sudan. Zidane's son Luca really grabbed the goal poll for the Fennecs!

Mozambique played well against champions Ivory Coast but Man United Amad Diallo assured the Ivorians the vital win. Mambas will have to produce more and get on the scoresheet to break their history and qualify for the first time into the knockout rounds.

Mbeumo assisted Etta Eyong for the one and only goal in the match that closed the first round of encounters. Cameroon - with several internal issues - scored early on and denied Gabon any chances of getting into the scoreboard.

MATCHDAY 2

As said before, preview to this and other competitions with this format, the second and third matchdays are all about points and not to grab a win, so draws are making up almost all of the matches, not a good sell and marketing for the former exciting African Cup of Nations.

After the opening win, Morocco grabbed advantaged in injury time during the first half from the spot, with Spanish-born Brahim Díaz giving the edge against Mali, but another penalty halfway through the second part saw Sinayoko tiying the match. With four points achieved Morocco is almost assured in the knockout round, even if they lose to Zambia in the third matchday.

It was a very disappointing Zambia who didn't pass a combative Comoros, however it was expected a win. With 2 points in two matches, Zambia will try to draw against Morocco and secure 3 points and a probable third best spot, but no flame, no ambition, no show. In a side that still plays essentially in Africa, this is their best window, showcase, for them, but aren't taking advantage of it.

Another penalty, ending the first half, saw Salah score and qualify Egypt for the last 16, edging South Africa with that solo goal.

There was some expectation towards Angola in this Afcon, but the side will have some trouble to qualify after failing to beat Zimbabwe. Gelson Dala opened the scoresheet midway through the opening half, but starlet Knowledge Musona tied the match in injury time of the first half, to grab a point, leaving both with only 1 point. Angola will have to beat Egypt to get a spot in the last 16.

One goal only also saw Benin achieved their first ever win in the Afcon, on their match 15 in the competition, with French-born Yohan Roche, who is playing in Romanian Petrolul Ploiesti, scoring against Botswana to let the Benin people dream of another qualification for the last 16.

The winners of matchday 1, Senegal and DR Congo, draw each other to get 4 points each and have a place almost booked in the last 16. Bakambu surprised the Teranga Lions on the hour mark but Sadio Mane tied the match less than 10 minutes after the opening goal.

Tunisia and Nigeria offered the best match of the second matchday so far, Osimhen gave Super Eagles the advantage on the half time, Ndidi double the advantage on the start of the second half and Lookman scored a third, appearing the Nigerian would be thrashing the Carthage Eagles, but Taibi first and Abdi on the 87th minute reduced and scared the West Africans however the result ended with 3-2 qualifying Nigeria for the next stage. The draw between the opening round losers saw Tunisia remain comfortable in the second spot with 3 points and all focused on securing the qualification in the last matchday.

An Eastern African duel in the African Cup of Nations is rare and Uganda and Tanzania levelled it against each other, Msuva scored from the 11 meter mark by the hour and Uganda Cranes draw by Ikpeazu on minute 80. Uganda had the chance to bag the win in injury time but Okello didn't score from the spot.

Playing in the Italian 4th tier, Faisal Bangal opened the score in the match between Gabon and Mozambique, giving Mambas a dream chance for their first Afcon win. Sporting CP Geny Catamo double the advantage from the penalty spot near the brek but major star Aubameyang reduced the difference in injury time of the opening half. Portuguese-born Diogo Calila scored the third for Mozambique and Moucketou-Moussounda, from Cyprus Aris, only managed to minimize the defeat. Mozambique went on to win their first ever match in the African Cup of Nations on the 17th match in the final stage.

Favorites Cameroon and Ivory Coast denied each other, making 4 points and both almost guaranteeing the qualification for the knockout rounds. It was an entertaining opening second half with Gil Vicente's left back Konan in evidence, assisting Amad Diallo for the Red Devils second goal in the tournament and miss fortuned with an own goal five minutes after the Ivorian goal.

 After Egypt and Nigeria, Algeria got the third knockout spot with the second win in the tournament. Another penalty, the major goal point in the second matchday, gave Mahrez the chance to beat Burkina Faso and the Fennecs achieved the 6 points from 6.

After a poor opening match, Sudan got to bet Equatorial Guinea with an own goal from Saul Coco to make the final result, both unconvincing.

With the goals scored in this second round Sadio Mane is now in the 8th place alltime with 10 goals, 8 behind leaded Samuel Eto'o, but just one behind top 5, which includes Egyptian Manager Hossam Hassan, Drogba and Mboma.

Salah and Mahrez are in the 15th group with nine goals and it's believable they will jump the scoring table in this event.

Matchday 3

As the previous round, matchday 3 started with little emotion and national teams aiming just the point, disappointing. Benin, Sudan and Mozambique or the third best of their groups already have qualification guaranteed with the finish of Group A and B as both 3rd placed only got two points, Comoros is already eliminated and Angola will have to pray for defeats of both Tanzania and Uganda in Group C to qualify for the last 16, again proving how wrong is this method of qualification.

A double from El Kaabi, who opened the scored before minute 10, and another finish from Spanish-Moroccan Brahím Díaz saw host Morocco thrash a very poor Zambia and top Group A.

Three matches, three draws, 2nd place for Mali in Group A showing it's advantageous with this arrangement not to be bold and just play for the point. They will now face the 2nd placed of Group C, likely Tunisia, which will be favorite in the tie. Mali will have to put much more on the pitch to get pass from the last 16.

After disappointing in the two matches before, Angola managed to cancel Egypt, but the goalless draw now makes the 'Palancas Negras' having to wait for the outcome of Group C and defeats for both Tanzania and Uganda in order to get the last ticket as best 3rd for the last 16 round.

Zimbabwe deserved a little more from this event. In matchday 3 they made South Africa sweat a lot and only a late penalty assured the South Africans the vital win. 

Orlando Pirates striker Moremi gave the early lead but Scottish side Motherwell star Maswanhise tied the match before 20 minutes played. Lyle Foster edged the South African in the start of the 2nd half however an own goal levelled the score on the 73rd minute. Appollis from the mark in the last 10 minutes gave the win. Zimbabwe can leave with good feelings, South Africa may have some troubles in the knockout round.

Even before the last four matches of the event, we already know all the 16 qualified nations and this group stage have been booed for most nations aren't aiming the win.

Tunisia and Tanzania were satisfied with the draw, which qualified both of them and Angola was eliminated, deservedly, but Tanzania shouldn't have passed also. Has stated before here this format isn't a fair playable one, rewards the small points and doesn't push the teams for the win.

Former Sporting Braga French-born Gharbi opened the score near halftime from the penalty mark. Only three minutes into the second half Tanzanian Feisal Salum, still playing in his homeland for Azam, got the draw and the match ended with the entire stadium booing the lack of football, a sad example for the sport.

Trabzonspor forward Onuachu opened the score for Nigeria and youngster Onyedika netted a brace to give the group win to Nigeria and leave Uganda out of the competition, as expected.

  

Group D saw no surprises and clear wins from Senegal and DR Congo, the first against Benin, to top the group, the latter against Botswana. Benin got one of the third best spots thanks to the win against Botswana.

Last 16

We already know several of the Last 16 matches. Mali will face Tunisia and Senegal will probably face Sudan, Egypt has a sweet match against Benin and Group F winner will go against 2nd placed of Group E, South Africa will play 2nd of Group F and Morocco also has an easy task against Tanzania, Algeria faces DR Congo and Nigeria will probably Mozambique.