AFCON Day 5 Wrap: Egypt beat Bafana, Morocco stalled, Zambia still searching

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AFCON Day 5 Wrap: Egypt beat Bafana, Morocco stalled, Zambia still searching

The race for knockout qualification at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 is heating up as teams battle for crucial points in the second round of group fixtures. Friday’s action delivered high drama, tactical battles, and moments of brilliance across Groups A and B.

From Morocco and Mali’s tense stalemate in Rabat to Egypt’s narrow win over South Africa, and Angola and Zimbabwe sharing spoils in Marrakech, every result has left the qualification picture wide open heading into the decisive final matchday.

Egypt 1–0 South Africa

Goal: Mohamed Salah 45’ (pen)

Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty secured Egypt’s place in the knockout stages with a 1–0 win over South Africa at the Grand Stade d’Agadir.

The decisive moment came on the stroke of halftime after VAR confirmed a foul on Salah inside the box. The Egyptian captain converted confidently for his second goal of the tournament.

Egypt’s task became harder early in the second half when Mohamed Hany received a second yellow card, forcing the Pharaohs to defend with ten men. South Africa dominated possession thereafter but were unable to break down a disciplined Egyptian defence, with goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy producing key saves.

Egypt now sit on six points and will face Angola next, while South Africa meet Zimbabwe in a must-win Southern African derby.

Angola 1–1 Zimbabwe

Goals: Gelson Dala 26’, Knowledge Musona 45+6’

Angola and Zimbabwe played out a 1–1 draw in Marrakech, leaving both sides still searching for their first win of AFCON 2025.

Gelson Dala opened the scoring for Angola midway through the first half with a composed finish after a precise through ball from Tó Carneiro. Zimbabwe equalised in stoppage time when Knowledge Musona converted from a quick counterattack, assisted by Bill Antonio.

Angola dominated possession after the break but failed to find a winner, while Zimbabwe threatened on the counter. Both teams remain winless and will need strong performances in their final group matches to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Group BPWLDGDPTS
Egypt220126
South Africa211103
Angola2011-11
Zimbabwe2011-11
Group B standings after Round 2 of matches

Morocco 1–1 Mali

Goals: Brahim Díaz 45+5’ (pen), Lassina Sinayoko 64’ (pen)

Morocco and Mali shared the spoils in a 1–1 draw during a fiercely contested Group A clash at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Rabat, leaving qualification for the Round of 16 to be decided on the final matchday.

The Atlas Lions dominated possession in the first half, as they had in their opening fixture, but struggled to break down a disciplined and compact Malian defence. Their persistence paid off deep into stoppage time when a VAR review confirmed a handball, allowing Brahim Díaz to calmly slot home from the spot for a narrow halftime lead.

Mali responded with renewed purpose after the break and restored parity just past the hour mark. Lassina Sinayoko was brought down inside the box and confidently converted the resulting penalty to make it 1–1.

Morocco pushed hard for a winner, introducing fresh attacking options and increasing the tempo, but Mali’s resolute backline held firm. Both sides remain in contention for a place in the knockout stages, with Morocco set to face Zambia and Mali taking on Comoros in their final group fixtures.

Man of the Match: Neil El Aynaoui (Morocco)

Zambia 0–0 Comoros

Zambia and Comoros played out a goalless draw at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca in their second Group A fixture of AFCON 2025.

The match was high on intensity but low on end product, with both sides struggling to convert chances. Zambia now sit on two points, keeping their qualification hopes alive, while Comoros earned their first point of the tournament to remain in contention.

Comoros thought they had taken the lead in the 19th minute through Mzean Maoulida, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review for a foul in the build-up. Despite enjoying long spells of possession, Comoros failed to make their dominance count, while Zambia’s defence held firm throughout.

Both teams will now target their first win in the final round of matches, with Comoros facing Mali and Zambia up against hosts Morocco.

Man of the Match: Youssouf Zaidou (Comoros)

Group APWLDGDPTS
Morocco210124
Mali200202
Zambia200202
Comoros2011-21
Group A standings after Round 2 of matches
<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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