By Kunle Solaja.

As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco on Sunday, Group A immediately presents a compelling mix of pedigree, ambition and contrasting football identities. Hosts Morocco headline a section that also features former champions Zambia, perennial contenders Mali and rising outsiders Comoros, setting the stage for an intriguing opening phase of the tournament.

All Group A matches will be split between Rabat and Casablanca, with the opening fixture seeing Morocco face Comoros at the capital’s stadium on December 21.

Fixtures (Kick-off times GMT)

• Dec 21 (19:00) – Rabat: Morocco v Comoros
• Dec 22 (14:30) – Casablanca: Mali v Zambia
• Dec 26 (12:00) – Rabat: Morocco v Mali
• Dec 26 (14:30) – Casablanca: Comoros v Zambia
• Dec 29 (17:30) – Rabat: Morocco v Zambia
• Dec 29 (17:30) – Casablanca: Comoros v Mali

Morocco: Hosts with Heavy Expectations

Morocco enters AFCON 2025 not only as hosts but also as one of the continent’s strongest teams, ranked 11th in the world as of November 2025. Making their 19th appearance at the finals, the Atlas Lions are chasing a second continental crown to add to their historic triumph in 1976.

Under coach Walid Regragui, Morocco boast a squad rich in European-based stars and tournament experience. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou anchors a side that includes defensive heavyweights Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd, while the midfield and attack feature creative and attacking quality in players such as Sofyan Amrabat, Brahim Diaz, Hakim Ziyech’s successors and prolific forwards Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaabi.

Morocco topped their qualifying group despite already being assured of participation as hosts, reinforcing their status as favourites to dominate Group A.

Mali: Talent-Rich Contenders Still Chasing Glory

Mali return for their 13th AFCON appearance, still seeking a first title, having come closest in 1972 when they finished runners-up. Ranked 54th globally, the Eagles are widely regarded as one of Africa’s most technically gifted sides.

Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet has assembled a powerful squad blending physicality and finesse. The midfield is particularly formidable, featuring Premier League star Yves Bissouma, RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara and Al Ahly’s Aliou Dieng. Up front, Moussa El Bilal Touré and emerging European-based forwards offer pace and penetration.

Mali qualified convincingly, finishing top of their group ahead of Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and Eswatini, and will see Group A as a genuine opportunity to make a deep run.

Zambia: Former Champions Seeking Revival

Zambia, champions in 2012, are making their 18th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations and will be eager to rekindle memories of their famous triumph. Ranked 90th in the world, the Chipolopolo qualified impressively by finishing above Cote d’Ivoire in their group.

Coached by Moses Sichone, Zambia relies heavily on attacking firepower led by Leicester City striker Patson Daka, supported by Fashion Sakala and a physically strong midfield. Veteran defender Stoppila Sunzu provides leadership at the back, while the squad features a mix of local league standouts and Europe-based professionals.

Zambia’s clash with Mali in Casablanca could prove decisive in shaping the group standings.

Comoros: Fearless Underdogs with Nothing to Lose

Comoros remain the least experienced side in Group A but are no strangers to defying expectations. Making only their second AFCON appearance after debuting in 2021, where they reached the Round of 16, the Islanders arrive with quiet confidence.

Ranked 108th in the world, the Comoros topped a tough qualifying group that included Tunisia, the Gambia, and Madagascar. Italian coach Stefano Cusin has built a disciplined side, largely composed of players from Europe’s lower divisions and emerging leagues.

With attacking threats like Myziane Maolida and Faïz Selemani, Comoros will look to spring surprises, particularly against fellow travellers Mali and Zambia.

Group A Outlook

Group A offers a classic AFCON narrative: a powerful host nation under pressure to deliver, a technically gifted challenger still seeking validation, a former champion chasing revival, and an underdog eager to upset the established order.

As Morocco launches the tournament on home soil, the battles in Rabat and Casablanca promise intensity, intrigue and early clues as to which teams are ready to turn ambition into continental success.

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By Kunle Solaja

Both Nigeria and Egypt meet in Cairo on Wednesday as both prepare for the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, which opens in Morocco on Sunday.

As the two African heavyweights clash once again, www.sportsvillagesquare.com takes an insightful look at the rich history between both sides, highlighting key facts and milestones that underline the depth of one of Africa’s most enduring football rivalries.

 • Both teams have met 21 times, and the relative weight has been even. Both had seven wins apiece and drew seven times.

• Nigeria has never beaten Egypt in Cairo.

• The first own goal by a Nigerian player was recorded when Nigeria hosted Egypt (then UAR- a short-lived union of Egypt and Syria) on December 13, 1959, in a Rome 1960 Olympic Games qualifier. The match was barely two minutes old when a corner kick by Egypt’s Hamdi Mohammed was headed into Nigeria’s net by John Onyeador while being challenged by Raffat Attia. It was the first time that the Nigerian national team conceded an own goal.

• Egypt defeated Nigeria 2-1 in Lagos in a friendly match organised to mark the inauguration of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe as the country’s first indigenous Governor General on 29 November 1960.

• When Paul Onuachu scored within eight seconds against Egypt in a friendly match played at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on 26 March 2019, it entered the record books as the second fastest goal in an international football match.

• This Wednesday’s Match will be the 22nd encounter between Egypt and Nigeria. This excludes the friendly match played in Dubai in April 2012, when both fielded their home-based players. Egypt won 3-2.

 • Egypt, playing under the flag of the United Arab Republic (UAR), a short-lived union of Egypt and Syria, is the first country that inflicted a home defeat on Nigeria when the team beat Nigeria’s ‘Red Devils’ 6-2 in Lagos in a Rome 1960 Olympic qualifying tournament played on 13 December 1959.

• Egypt was the team that made Nigeria switch from red shirts to the now familiar green. It was on the occasion of the return leg match of the Rome Olympic Games’ qualifying tournament played in Cairo on January 1, 1960. The Nigerian team had to change to green since the home country played in red. It was a step towards becoming ‘Green Eagles’ in the months that followed. Nigeria lost the match 3-0.

• It was against Egypt that Asuquo Ekpe scored Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations’ goal in a 6-3 loss on November 24, 1963, in Kumasi, Ghana.

• When Nigeria beat Egypt 3-2 in Addis Ababa on 14 Mar. 1976, it was the first of the 15 podium finishes by Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations.

• It was in Egypt that Obinna Nsofor scored Nigeria’s 100th Africa Cup of Nations goal when he found the net in a 1-1 draw with Tunisia on 4 February 2006 in Port Said.

• Until Ghana beat Egypt in the qualifying series for Brazil 2014, Nigeria’s 4-0 defeat of Egypt on 8 October 1977, was the country’s heaviest defeat in a World Cup qualifying match.

• Until Egypt beat Nigeria 3-1 in Benguela, Angola, Nigeria successively had the upper hand in all Africa Cup of Nations’ matches involving both countries from 1976 to 2010.

• Adegboye Onigbinde’s first match as Nigeria’s coach was a friendly duel with Egypt on 18 February 1983 in Lagos. It ended goalless.

• Former Nigerian skipper, Stephen Keshi, scored the first of his 10 goals for Nigeria when he converted a penalty kick against Egypt in a friendly match on 20 February 1983 in Kaduna to bring the scoreline to 1-1.

• Egypt, with seven victories, has won the most titles of the Africa Cup of Nations.

• Nigeria, with seven third-place positions, has the record of most bronze medals.

• Nigeria and Egypt are the only countries to have personalities who won the African titles as players and coaches. Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary won the African Cup as a player in 1959 and then as a coach in 1998. Nigeria’s Stephen Keshi won the cup as a player in 1994 and then as a coach in 2013.

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By Kunle Solaja.

Three-time African champions Nigeria and record seven-time winners Egypt will lock horns at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday evening in a high-profile friendly designed to fine-tune both teams ahead of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals, which kick off in Morocco on Sunday.

The clash offers both coaches an early opportunity to assess squad depth and blend experience with new faces as preparations intensify for the continental showpiece.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Sékou Chelle is expected to hand opportunities to several newcomers, with goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Ryan Alebiosu, midfielders Usman Muhammed, Tochukwu Nnadi and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, and forwards Paul Onuachu and Salim Fago Lawal all in contention for game time.

On the Egyptian side, head coach Hossam Hassan — an AFCON legend — will be keen to gauge his squad’s readiness. Hassan famously scored seven goals as Egypt lifted the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations in Burkina Faso, finishing as joint top scorer alongside South Africa’s Benni McCarthy.

The Pharaohs’ game plan is expected to revolve around Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, who, despite an impressive club career and numerous trophies, is still chasing his first AFCON title. He is supported by Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, Al Ahly regulars Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Emam Ashour and Mahmoud Trezeguet.

Also in the Egyptian squad are CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC duo Mohamed Hamdy and Mostafa Fathi, UAE-based Ibrahim Adel and FC Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed.

For Nigeria, Chelle is likely to rely on a strong core of established players including goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali; defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Zaidu Sanusi; midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi; and attacking threats Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.

As of Monday afternoon, 17 of the 28 players named in Nigeria’s final squad list had arrived in Cairo, with more expected ahead of the team’s training session later in the evening.

The friendly match is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 pm Egypt time (7:00 pm Nigeria time) and is expected to provide a fierce but valuable rehearsal for both African heavyweights ahead of AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

Egypt v Nigeria: Tale of the Tape

TEAMS	P	W	D	L	F	A
Egypt	21	7	7	7	32	28
Nigeria	21	7	7	7	28	32

Egypt – Nigeria Clashes Across The Ages

DATE	COMPETITION, VENUE	MATCHES
13 December 1959	Olympic Qualifier, Lagos	Nigeria 2-6 Egypt (UAR)
1 January 1960	Olympic Qualifier, Cairo	Egypt (UAR)  3-0 Nigeria
29 November 1960	Friendly, Lagos	Nigeria 1-2 Egypt
24 November 1963	AFCON, Kumasi	Egypt 6-3 Nigeria
14 January 1973	2nd All Africa Games, Lagos	Nigeria 4-2 Egypt
14 March 1976	AFCON, Addis Ababa	Egypt 2-3 Nigeria
8 October 1977	World Cup qualifier, Lagos	Nigeria 4-0 Egypt
21 October 1977	World Cup qualifier, Cairo	Egypt 3-1 Nigeria
15 March 1980	AFCON, Lagos	Nigeria 1-0 Egypt
18 February 1983	Friendly, Lagos	Nigeria 0-0 Egypt
20 February 1983	Friendly, Kaduna	Nigeria 1-1Egypt
14 March 1984	AFCON, Abidjan	Egypt 2-2 Nigeria. 7-8 after PSO
20 March 1988	AFCON, Rabat	Egypt 0-0 Nigeria
5 March 1990	AFCON Algiers	Egypt 0-1 Nigeria
30 March 1994	AFCON, Tunis	Egypt 0-0 Nigeria
25 November 2002	Friendly, Lagos	Nigeria 1-1 Egypt
12 January 2010	AFCON, Benguela	Egypt 3-1 Nigeria
25 March 2016	AFCON qualifier, Kaduna	Nigeria 1-1 Egypt
29 March 2016	AFCON qualifier, Cairo	Egypt 1-0 Nigeria
26 March 2019	Friendly, Asaba	Nigeria 1-0 Egypt
11 January 2022	AFCON, Garoua	Egypt 0-1 Nigeria

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