AFCON 2025: Five must-watch fixtures to look out for

Defending champions Ivory Coast will face a stern test at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with several title-chasing nations eager to dethrone them when the tournament kicks off in Morocco.

Only Cameroon and Egypt have successfully defended an AFCON title in the past, with the Pharaohs achieving the feat in dominant fashion by winning three consecutive tournaments between 2006 and 2010.

Egypt head into the competition as the most decorated nation in AFCON history with seven titles to their name, although their last triumph came in 2010. Hosts Morocco, meanwhile, will be hoping to finally translate their consistent progress and strong Fifa rankings into silverware, boosted by the advantage of playing in front of their home supporters.

With several contenders in the mix—including Bafana Bafana, Senegal, Algeria and Cameroon—attention will inevitably turn to the standout fixtures that could shape the tournament. Here, Obakeng Meletse looks at the five matches to keep a close eye on.

Morocco vs Comoros

The tournament holds particular importance for hosts Morocco, who have often underperformed at AFCON despite their strong squads over the years. Their sole triumph dates back to 1976, making this home edition a golden opportunity to end a long wait.

Facing a 26th-ranked Comoros side, Morocco will be firm favourites, but the fixture is more than just a formality. It presents an ideal opportunity to build confidence, set the tone early and harness the energy of their home crowd for the challenges ahead.

Egypt vs South Africa

One of the most eagerly anticipated clashes of the group stages will see two tournament heavyweights meet in what is likely to be a decisive encounter in the race for top spot of Group B.

Despite Egypt’s rich AFCON pedigree, Bafana have enjoyed the upper hand in recent meetings. In the last five encounters, Hugo Broos’ side have recorded three wins, suffered one defeat and played out one draw.

That run includes a memorable 1–0 victory in the last 16 of the 2019 tournament, when a late Thembinkosi Lorch strike knocked out hosts Egypt. As a result, there will be plenty of unfinished business when the two sides meet again.

Nigeria vs Tunisia

Nigeria arrive at the tournament under pressure, with their reputation taking a hit following recent struggles, most notably their failure to qualify for the World Cup.

The Super Eagles, runners-up at the last AFCON, will face a familiar foe in Tunisia—the side that eliminated them in the round of 16 in 2021 with a shock 1–0 win. A positive result here could prove pivotal in setting the tone for either team’s campaign.

Cameroon vs Ivory Coast

After missing out on World Cup qualification, Cameroon head into this fixture and the wider tournament with added pressure as they seek to restore pride and momentum.

Ivory Coast enter as defending champions, while Cameroon will be eager to recapture the form that saw them lift the trophy in 2021. Recent head-to-head history favours the Ivorians, who have won three of the last five meetings, with Cameroon claiming one victory and one match ending in a draw.

Morocco vs Mali

This promises to be Morocco’s toughest Group A test, as the Atlas Lions face an eighth-ranked Mali side packed with quality and capable of not only causing an upset but also mounting a serious title challenge of their own.

Beyond the prestige of the encounter, the match carries significant importance for Morocco, who will be keen to make a statement against elite opposition and finish top of the group to secure a more favourable last-16 draw.