AFCON 2025 – Day 8 Preview: Fixtures, Head-to-Head Records, Kick-off Times & Broadcast Details

As we recap Day 7, stakes couldn’t be higher as the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 enters Day 8, with Group A and Group B set for decisive showdowns. For some, it’s a fight for survival; for others, a chance to seal a coveted spot in the Round of 16.

In Group A, hosts Morocco face Zambia in Rabat, while Comoros take on Mali in Casablanca

Over in Group B, Southern African rivals South Africa and Zimbabwe lock horns in Marrakesh, while Egypt who already booked a last 16 ticket meet Angola.

Today’s AFCON 2025 Fixtures:

Zimbabwe vs South Africa: COSAFA Epic Showdown

Southern African rivals Zimbabwe and South Africa clash on 29 December at the Grand Stade de Marrakech in their final Group B match at AFCON 2025. Kick-off is 17h00 local time (16h00 GMT), with both sides chasing a spot in the Round of 16.

This is their first-ever AFCON finals meeting, but the 20th overall encounter. South Africa lead the head-to-head with 8 wins to Zimbabwe’s 6, and 5 draws. Bafana have scored 21 goals in these fixtures, compared to Zimbabwe’s 16.

South Africa are unbeaten in the last four matches (W2 D2), while Zimbabwe’s last win came in 2013 (2–1 in Johannesburg). Knowledge Musona could make history with a fourth goal against Bafana, surpassing Shaun Bartlett and Peter Ndlovu (3 each).

Angola vs Egypt: All-or-nothing for Palancas Negras

Angola will be aiming for a decisive win over already-qualified Egypt on matchday three of Group B at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. The clash takes place at the Grand Stade d’Agadir, with kick-off set for 17h00 local time (16h00 GMT).

Egypt have secured top spot in the group, while Angola’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages hinge on victory and the outcome of South Africa’s match.

This will be the nations’ third AFCON finals meeting. Egypt won both previous encounters 2–1 — in 1996, when Ahmed El Kass struck twice and Quinzinho scored Angola’s first-ever AFCON goal, and in the 2008 quarter-finals, where goals from Hosny Abdrabou and Amr Zaki sealed the win after Manucho had equalised.

The sides last met in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with Egypt winning 1–0 in Cairo before a 2–2 draw in Luanda. Angola led 2–0 through Hélder Costa and M’Bala Nzola, but Mohamed Elneny and Akram Tawfik rescued a point for Egypt.

In total, this will be their ninth meeting. Egypt remain unbeaten, with four wins and four draws.

Comoros vs Mali: All to play for in Group A

Mali and Comoros will wrap up their Group A campaigns at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 when they clash at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca on 29 December. Kick-off is scheduled for 20h00 local time (19h00 GMT).

Comoros enter the fixture still searching for their first win after a draw and a defeat, while Mali remain unbeaten with one victory and one draw.

The sides have only met previously in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying, where Mali dominated both encounters with 3–0 wins in Berkane, Morocco. On 20 March 2025, Dorgeles Nene struck once and Kamory Doumbia twice to secure the result. In the return fixture on 4 September 2025, Nene and Doumbia were again on target, joined by Lassana Coulibaly.

Neither team ultimately reached the 2026 World Cup, with Ghana advancing from Group I.

Zambia vs Morocco: Hosts Eye Knockout Spot

Zambia and hosts Morocco face off in their final Group A clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, with kick-off at 20h00 local time (19h00 GMT). Both sides are chasing victory and a place in the Round of 16.

This will be their fourth AFCON meeting, all at the group stage. Morocco lead the head-to-head with two wins and one draw (1986, 1998, 2023). Their most recent encounter came in 2023, when Hakim Ziyech’s goal sealed a 1–0 win for Morocco.

Overall, the teams have met 22 times, with Morocco dominant: 14 wins to Zambia’s 6, and two draws. Morocco have won the last five meetings, including a 2–0 victory in Ndola during 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Zambia’s last win was a 3–2 friendly triumph in 2019.

For Zambia, this is their fifth AFCON match against a host nation. They’ve scored in all previous four, winning once (1–0 vs Equatorial Guinea in 2012) and losing three. History suggests drama whenever Zambia have faced a host, one of the teams has reached the final. Zambia themselves were champions in 2012 and runners-up in 1974.

Morocco, unbeaten in 11 of their last 12 games against Zambia, will look to continue that run and secure progression on home soil.

Where to Watch

• beIN SPORTS: Official broadcaster carrying the match live internationally.
• SABC Sport: Free-to-air coverage in South Africa across TV, radio, and streaming platforms.
• Global broadcast guide: AFCON 2025 matches are available worldwide via regional broadcasters and streaming services.