AFCON
AFCON 2025 Group E Preview: Algeria Lead a Competitive Quartet with History and Ambition
By Kunle Solaja.
Group E of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday, brings together continental heavyweights, seasoned challengers and resilient outsiders. Two-time champions Algeria headline the group alongside Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and former winners Sudan in a section that promises intensity and contrasting styles.
Group E matches will be staged in Rabat and Casablanca, with Algeria opening their campaign against Sudan.
Fixtures (Kick-off times GMT)
- Dec 24 (12:00) – Rabat: Algeria v Sudan
- Dec 24 (14:30) – Casablanca: Burkina Faso v Equatorial Guinea
- Dec 28 (12:00) – Rabat: Algeria v Burkina Faso
- Dec 28 (14:30) – Casablanca: Equatorial Guinea v Sudan
- Dec 31 (17:00) – Rabat: Algeria v Equatorial Guinea
- Dec 31 (17:00) – Casablanca: Burkina Faso v Sudan
Algeria: Proven Winners with a New Direction
Algeria arrive at AFCON 2025 with pedigree and expectation, having won the tournament twice — in 1990 and 2019. Making their 20th appearance at the finals, the Desert Foxes are ranked 35th in the world and qualified convincingly by topping their group ahead of Equatorial Guinea, Togo and Liberia.
Now coached by Bosnian tactician Vladimir Petkovic, Algeria combine experience with emerging talent. The squad features established internationals such as Riyad Mahrez, Baghdad Bounedjah and Ramy Bensebaini, alongside creative midfielders Ismaël Bennacer and Houssem Aouar.
With strength across all departments and depth from Europe’s top leagues, Algeria are widely tipped to control Group E.
Burkina Faso: Perennial Challengers Eyeing a Breakthrough
Burkina Faso return for their 14th Africa Cup of Nations appearance still chasing a first continental title. Their best run came in 2013, when they finished runners-up, and they arrive in Morocco ranked 62nd globally.
Coached by Brama Traoré, the Stallions qualified behind Senegal in a competitive group. Their squad blends defensive resilience with attacking flair, led by Edmond Tapsoba at the back and attacking threats such as Dango Ouattara, Bertrand Traoré and Lassina Traoré.
Burkina Faso’s clash with Algeria in Rabat is expected to be one of the group’s decisive encounters.
Equatorial Guinea: Dark Horses with a Point to Prove
Equatorial Guinea have steadily built a reputation as awkward opponents at AFCON. Making their fifth appearance at the finals, the Nzalang Nacional are ranked 97th in the world and famously reached the semi-finals on home soil in 2015.
Under coach Juan Micha, Equatorial Guinea rely on organisation and midfield experience, with players such as Pedro Obiang and Omar Mascarell providing composure. With forwards like Emilio Nsue and Iban Salvador, they possess the tools to trouble more fancied sides.
Sudan: Former Champions Seeking Revival
Sudan complete Group E as one of the tournament’s more intriguing storylines. Champions in 1970, the Falcons of Jediane are appearing at AFCON for the ninth time and are ranked 118th globally.
Coached by Ghanaian Kwesi Appiah, Sudan qualified ahead of Niger and Ghana in their group, underlining their ability to compete against stronger-ranked teams. Their squad is largely domestically based, built around Al Hilal and Al Merrikh players, with Mohamed Abdelrahman leading the attack.
Sudan will aim to draw on history and collective spirit as they seek a return to prominence.
Group E Outlook
Group E offers a fascinating blend of past glory and present ambition. Algeria’s pedigree makes them favourites, but Burkina Faso’s consistency, Equatorial Guinea’s unpredictability and Sudan’s resilience ensure a tightly contested group.
With matches split between Rabat and Casablanca, Group E promises tactical battles, contrasting philosophies and a compelling fight for progression to the knockout stages.
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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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