AFCON
AFCON 2025: Morocco face Mali in defining Group A test
Second match, and already a defining examination for tournament hosts Morocco.
After a controlled 2–0 victory over Comoros in their opening fixture, the Atlas Lions return to action in Group A of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 knowing that a second successive win would all but secure passage to the knockout phase. Standing in their way is a Mali side under pressure to deliver, yet determined to stay faithful to its attacking identity in what promises to be a far sterner contest than rankings alone suggest.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui made no attempt to soften the significance of the encounter, describing the clash with Mali as “the real start of the competition.” While pleased with his team’s composure and structure against Comoros, Regragui stressed that the context has now shifted.
“The first match is always complicated in the history of the AFCON,” he said at his pre-match press conference. “The second one is different. We are facing a team we know very well, and that knows us very well.”
As hosts, Morocco continue to embrace the weight of expectation that comes with home advantage. Regragui reiterated that the pressure associated with their status has been “assumed for months,” and there is no intention of retreating from it.
While acknowledging that possession was occasionally sterile in the first half of the opener, he defended the overall performance, pointing to control, patience and the ability to unlock a compact opponent. “At the highest level, football is also about solving problems during the match,” he explained, highlighting the squad’s mental strength and adaptability.
On the fitness front, Morocco’s concerns are minimal. Captain Romain Saïss remains sidelined by a minor muscle issue, while Achraf Hakimi is being carefully managed as he continues his progressive return. “We are preparing him for the whole tournament, not just one game,” Regragui emphasised. He also urged patience with emerging talents such as Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, describing the young defender as “a real prospect” who should not be rushed.
From the Malian camp, the tone is one of respect without inferiority. Head coach Tom Saintfiet openly recognises Morocco as one of the continent’s strongest sides, but insists his team has the tools to compete.
The 1–1 draw with Zambia in their opening match, after long spells of control, brought frustration, yet it has not altered Mali’s approach. “We need points against Morocco,” Saintfiet admitted, while firmly rejecting any ultra-defensive mindset. Despite playing in front of a home crowd expected to exceed 60,000 spectators, Mali will not “park the bus.”
“We have good players, and we will play offensively,” he said, recalling a previous victory over Morocco achieved with limited possession but ruthless efficiency.
“The pressure is mainly on Morocco. They are seen as major favourites, they are playing at home and they have a very strong team. We are coming without any inferiority complex. All 28 players are ready to fight together.”
Midfielder Yves Bissouma echoed that focus, insisting that club-level issues have been set aside. “What matters today is Mali. The rest doesn’t interest me,” the Tottenham player said.
Despite Morocco’s status as favourites, Regragui remains wary. “Mali have always produced great players — that is part of their history,” he noted. “Whenever they play Morocco, you feel that extra motivation. It often pushes them to go beyond themselves, to run more and raise their level.”
The meeting also carries historical weight. This will be only the second time Morocco and Mali face each other in the final phase of the Africa Cup of Nations, following their semi-final encounter in 2004.
Played in Tunis, that match ended in a 4–0 victory for Morocco — still the biggest win in the country’s AFCON history and Mali’s heaviest defeat at the finals. Notably, Regragui himself started that match more than two decades ago.
On Friday night, with qualification within reach for one side and momentum at stake for the other, history, expectation and ambition converge — making Morocco versus Mali a true early marker of how far each team can go at AFCON 2025.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
JOIN THE SPORTS VILLAGE SQUARE CHANNEL ON:
https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Nigeria’s Olympic Foes Arrive After Incredible 30-0 Aggregate Rout of Sudan
Akwa Ibom Celebrates Taekwondo Gold Medallist Udobong After National Open Trials Triumph
Iranian World Cup players will be able to enter US the day before matches, DHS says
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup1 week ago
Attack-minded Ivorians bullish ahead of World Cup return
- World Cup6 days ago
Rema, Davido, Burna Boy and Ayra Starr Make FIFA’s Star-Studded World Cup 2026 Official Album
- World Cup5 days ago
FIFA bans vuvuzelas from World Cup stadiums
- World Cup5 days ago
Shakira to Headline FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony in Mexico
- International Football2 days ago
Eriksen Suffers Fresh Collapse During Denmark Friendly, Reviving Memories of Euro 2020 Ordeal
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Soname Rewards Flamingos with N4.5m Goal Bonus After Guinea Rout
- World Cup1 week ago
Behold! Nigeria’s Gift to the World Cup: 11 Stars, No Super Eagles
- World Cup3 days ago
Pelé’s 1970 World Cup Hideaway Becomes Tourist Attraction as Mexico Hosts Tournament for Record Third Time