* They have joined Nigeria and Egypt. Egypt qualified on Friday beating South Africa while the Super Eagles triumphed 3-2 over Tunisia on Saturday
* Sudan registered a surprise by beating Equatorial Guinea as Cameroon hold defending champions Côte d’Ivoire
Maravi Express
Captain Riyad Mahrez scored the lone goal that beat Burkina Faso, a priceless strike from the penalty spot that secured three points for Algeria and confirmed their qualification to the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) Morocco 2025.
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They have joined Nigeria and Egypt. Egypt qualified on Friday beating South Africa through Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty while the Super Eagles triumphed 3-2 over Tunisia on Saturday.
The Algerians firmed up their place top of Group E after their back-to-back wins — leaving Burkina Faso on second with three points, level with Sudan who earlier on beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0.
Algeria will now take on already eliminated Equatorial Guinea in their final group match on New Year’s Eve, while Burkina Faso will battle with Sudan in a high-billed clash that will determine who gets the second automatic ticket to the knockout phase
Meanwhile, the Mambas of Mozambique, who had previously gone 16 matches without a win on the continental stage, finally broke their drought in a clinical display at the Stade Adrar.
Mozambique v Gabon
The match burst into life late in the first half when Faizal Bangal opened the scoring in the 37th minute, heading home a superb cross from Geny Catamo. Just five minutes later, Mozambique doubled their lead after Dominguês was fouled in the penalty area by Bruno Ecuele Manga.
Catamo stepped up to coolly convert the penalty, sending the ball into the bottom left corner — but Gabon managed to find a lifeline deep into first-half stoppage time through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when the veteran striker pounced on a rebound after Didier Ndong’s initial effort was parried, cementing his status as one of the oldest goalscorers in the history of the AfCON finals.
The momentum shifted back to Mozambique shortly after the break as in the 52nd minute, Diogo Calila rose highest in the centre of the box to meet a cross from Witi, powering a header into the roof of the net to restore the two-goal cushion.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang showed his experience in the match
Gabon responded with a series of tactical changes, introducing Alex Moucketou-Moussounda and Royce Openda to bolster their attack and the pressure from the Panthers eventually paid off in the 86th minute when Moucketou-Moussounda scored from close range following a corner, setting up a frantic finale.
Despite late attempts from Mario Lemina and Jacques Ekomié, Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan Siluane remained resolute, producing several crucial saves to protect the lead — and the final whistle confirmed a landmark achievement for Mozambique, ending nearly four decades of waiting for a win at the AfCON.
In Marrakesh, Cameroon and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire shared the spoils in a pulsating 1–1 draw in their second Group F fixture.
Junior Tchamadeu’s deflected effort midway through the second half cancelled out a moment of brilliance from Amad Diallo, whose stunning opener had put the Ivorians ahead in a contest rich in quality, intensity and goal-mouth action.
Côte d’Ivoire believed they had gone into the break in front when captain Franck Kessié volleyed home from close range, but celebrations were cut short as the goal was ruled out for offside against Vakoun Issouf Bayo’s assist in the build-up.
Côte d’Ivoire v Cameroon
Sudan secured a 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in a freezing 14° evening in Casablanca to blow Group E wide open. The match remained on a knife-edge until the 74th minute, when a moment of pure chaos in the Equatorial Guinea box changed everything.
A stinging Sudanese cross forced centre-back Saul Coco into a desperate clearance, only for the ball to fly into the back of his own net. That single goal was enough to spark wild celebrations and hand Sudan their first tournament win in over a decade.
Following a heavy defeat in their opening match, Sudan knew they were playing for survival. Under intense pressure from a technical Equatorial Guinea side, the Sudanese backline refused to buckle. Goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid stood like a wall, orchestrating a defense that absorbed wave after wave of attack before striking on the counter.
Sudan have officially moved level on points with the group leaders, turning their final match into a ‘win-and-you’re-in’ scenario.
For the players, this wasn’t just about three points. With Sudan facing immense challenges at home, the team has become a symbol of defiance. This victory — their first at the AfCON finals since 2012 — offers a rare moment of pride and joy for millions of fans watching from afar.
Sudan now heads into their final group clash against Burkina Faso on New Year’s Eve with everything to play for. If they can replicate this defensive masterclass, a place in the Round of 16 is within their grasp.
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Full results
Group A
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Mali 1-1 Zambia
Zambia 0-0 Comoros
Morocco 1-1 Mali
Group B
South Africa 2-1 Angola
Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe
Angola 1-1 Zimbabwe
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
Group C
DR Congo 1-0 Benin
Senegal 3-0 Botswana
Benin 1-0 Botswana
Senegal 1-1 DR Congo
Group D
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
Tunisia 3-1 Uganda
Uganda 1-1 Tanzania
Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia
Group E
Burkina Faso 2-1 Equatorial Guinea
Algeria 3-0 Sudan
Algeria 1-0 Burkina Faso
Côte d’Ivoire 1-1 Cameroon
Group F
Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 Mozambique
Cameroon 1-0 Gabon
Gabon 2-3 Mozambique
Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Sudan
Fixtures
Today, December 29
18:00 Zimbabwe v South Africa
18:00 Angola v Egypt
21:00 Zambia v Morocco
21:00 Comoros v Mali
Tomorrow December 30
18:00 Uganda v Nigeria
18:00 Tanzania v Tunisia
21:00 Botswana v DR Congo
21:00 Benin v Senegal
Wednesday December 31
18:00 Equatorial Guinea v Algeria
18:00 Sudan v Burkina Faso
21:00 Gabon v Côte d’Ivoire
21:00 Mozambique v Cameroon
* Reporting by CAFonline, edited by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
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