The first round of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 has concluded, with all 24 participating teams having played their opening matches. The final four fixtures of Matchday One took place in Morocco, featuring teams from Groups E and F.
In Group E, Burkina Faso secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca. After a goalless first half, Equatorial Guinea took the lead, but Burkina Faso scored two goals in stoppage time, courtesy of Georgie Minoungou and Edmond Tapsoba. Meanwhile, Algeria defeated Sudan 3-0 at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, with Riyad Mahrez scoring twice in front of over 16,000 spectators.
Algeria left-back Jaouen Hadjam expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, stating, “It was a good game, a good start for us, and, Inshallah, we are going to win more games.” In contrast, Sudan attacking midfielder Aamir Abdallah acknowledged the challenges his team faced, saying, “It was a bit tough. Obviously, getting a red card at the start doesn’t help, and of course, that was the only thing that Algeria had. It made the game really tough, but I think we got a bit unlucky with the chances that we had.”
In Group F, Côte d’Ivoire, the defending champions, narrowly defeated Mozambique 1-0 in Marrakech, with Amad Diallo scoring the winning goal after the restart. Cameroon also secured a 1-0 victory over Gabon in Agadir, thanks to an early goal from Etta Eyong. These results have set up intriguing clashes for the next round, including a matchup between Burkina Faso and Algeria, as well as a highly anticipated encounter between Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon.
The AFCON 2025 tournament continues to gain momentum, with the upcoming matches promising to deliver exciting football action. As the teams prepare for their next fixtures, fans can expect intense competition and surprising outcomes. The tournament’s significance extends beyond the football pitch, as it brings together nations and communities from across the continent, showcasing African culture and unity. With the group stages underway, the road to the finals has begun, and the journey is expected to be filled with thrilling moments and unexpected twists.