Defending champions Ivory Coast meet the traditional giants of Cameroon in a heavyweight Africa Cup of Nations Group F second matchday encounter.

Both teams have rich histories in African football, and their recent meetings suggest another closely fought battle is on the cards.

It's AFCON action on Sunday, December 28, as the Elephants face the Indomitable Lions.

With recent competitive head-to-head results pointing to tightly contested matches, this clash promises high stakes and intensity from the first whistle.

 

📈Team Form📉

 

🔹 Ivory Coast: The defending champions enter the tournament with pressure to defend their title.

🔸 Cameroon: The traditional giants aim for another strong campaign.

 

📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊

 

🔥 The head-to-head record is exceptionally tight, with Ivory Coast managing four wins to Cameroon's three in their last eight meetings.

🔥 One game in their recent eight-match history ended in a draw.

🔥 In the most recent CAF World Cup qualifiers, both teams won their home fixture, with Cameroon winning 1-0 and Ivory Coast winning 2-1.

 

🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams👀

 

🇨🇮Ivory Coast | Pre-AFCON Form: 🟢🟢🟡🟢🟢🟢

As the defending champions, the Elephants will carry the weight of expectation into this crunch second game of Group F.

The team will have to navigate the early challenge without key striker Sebastien Haller, who is unavailable due to injury. In attack, they will look to the recalled experience of Wilfried Zaha and the flair of Amad Diallo.

Their recent competitive record against Cameroon is strong, with a head-to-head edge of a single victory. They will rely on their experience and H2H advantage to keep their title defence on track with a positive result.

 

🇨🇲Cameroon | Form: 🔴🟡🟢🔴🟢🟢

The Indomitable Lions arrive shrouded in controversy but with a revamped squad. Veteran stars like Vincent Aboubakar and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa are missing. In their place, a new generation led by Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba will be tasked with causing an upset.

Goalkeeper André Onana, initially omitted, received a late call-up and is expected to join the squad, potentially adding crucial experience. Knowing the historical closeness of this fixture, Cameroon will aim to be disciplined and turn their intense rivalry into a platform for a statement victory.

 

👥 Predicted Lineups 👥

 

🇨🇮 Ivory Coast (Possible 4-3-3):

Fofana, Aurier, Kossonou, Ndicka, Konan, Kessie, Seri, Sangare, Zaha, Krasso, Diallo.

 

🇨🇲 Cameroon (Possible 4-3-3):

Onana, Tolo, Castelletto, Wooh, Tchamadeu, Baleba, Ndzie, Kemen, Mbeumo, Etta Eyong, Bassogog.

 

🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀

 

✨ Wilfried Zaha — Recalled to the Ivory Coast squad after nearly two years, his experience and direct wing play will be vital for the champions.

✨ Amad Diallo — The Manchester United winger offers creativity and is one of the fresh faces in the Ivorian attack.

✨ Bryan Mbeumo — With the old guard absent, the Man United forward becomes the focal point of Cameroon's new-look attack.

✨ Carlos Baleba — The Brighton midfielder's energy in the engine room will be crucial for Cameroon in matching Ivory Coast's physicality.

 

💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵

 

💵 Ivory Coast to win = 2.26

💵 Cameroon to win = 3.39

💵 Draw = 3.21

💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.64

 

This clash presents a classic battle of pedigree: the reigning champions against a Cameroon side in transition.

With their recent encounters almost impossible to separate and both teams fielding altered squads, fans are set for a compelling and tense African football night.

Who do you think will take the points? Tell us your prediction in the comments.

 

 

🔗 You can follow the Ivory Coast vs Cameroon game here on MSport.

 

#AFCON2025 #IvoryCoast #Cameroon #LesElephants #IndomitableLions #AFCON #CAF

 

The opening match-day of the 2025/26 Africa Cup of Nations delivered dramatic late winners for both Egypt and South Africa. Now, these two Group B heavyweights clash with a chance to seize control of the group.

Egypt's legendary Mohamed Salah saved the day with a late strike against Zimbabwe, while South Africa's Lyle Foster powered his team to a comeback win over Angola.

This sets the stage for a thrilling encounter between two confident sides with their sights set on the knockout stages.

 

📈Team Form📉

 

🔹 Egypt: Began their AFCON campaign with a victory.

🔸 South Africa: Also started the tournament with a win.

 

📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊

 

🔥 Both Egypt and South Africa secured three points with late winning goals in their opening AFCON matches.

🔥 Both Egypt and South Africa had great FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaigns with nations securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

🔥 South Africa edges Egypt on H2H with one more win over Egypt’s one, with the two sides never playing out a draw in all their three (3) meetings (two were friendly games).

 

🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams👀

 

🇪🇬Egypt | Form: W🟢

Under manager Hossam Hassan, the Pharaohs showed resilience to overcome an early scare against Zimbabwe. However, the performance lacked fluency in the final third.

Relying on the individual brilliance of attackers like Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Manchester City's Omar Marmoush, they found a way to win. The potential introduction of Mostafa Mohamed from the start could provide better balance after his impactful assist off the bench.

 

🇿🇦South Africa | Form: W🟢

Managed by Hugo Broos, South Africa are riding a wave of confidence following their World Cup qualification. They demonstrated their own fighting spirit to overcome an enterprising Angola side.

With players like Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster, they possess a direct and threatening attack. They will believe they have the tools to create significant problems for an Egyptian defence that looked vulnerable in their opener.

 

👥 Predicted Lineups 👥

 

🇪🇬 Egypt (4-2-3-1): El Shenawy, Hany, Ibrahim, Abdelmaguid, Hamdi, Ateya, Fathy, Salah, Mostafa Mohamed, Trezeguet, Marmoush.

🇿🇦 South Africa (4-4-2): Williams; Mudau, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Modiba, Moremi, Mokoena, Sithole, Appollis, Foster, Mbule.

 

🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀

 

✨ Mohamed Salah — The Liverpool star delivered when it mattered on Matchday 1. His experience and quality remain the Pharaohs' most potent weapon.

✨ Lyle Foster — The Burnley striker came off the bench to snatch the winner for South Africa. His physical presence and finishing will be central to their game plan.

✨ Mostafa Mohamed — His clever assist changed the game for Egypt. A start could be the key to unlocking a more cohesive attacking performance.

✨ Oswin Appollis — He opened the scoring for Bafana Bafana and will be crucial in providing creative energy from the flank.

 

💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵

 

💵 Egypt/Home to win = 2.03

💵 South Africa/Away to win = 4.29

💵 Draw = 3.09

💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 2.21

 

This clash presents a fascinating tactical battle: Egypt's superstar-driven attack against South Africa's cohesive and in-form unit.

With both teams proving they can find winning goals, this match could be one of the group stage's most compelling contests.

Who do you think will take control of Group B? Tell us your prediction in the comments.

 

 

🔗 You can follow the Egypt vs South Africa game here on MSport.

 

#AFCON2025 #Egypt #SouthAfrica #Pharaohs #BafanaBafana #Salah #Foster #AFCON #

 

Host nation and pre-tournament favorites Morocco have started their CAF Africa Cup of Nations campaign very well. The Atlas Lions now face Mali in a match where they will look to extend their impressive unbeaten record.

Morocco eased to a comfortable victory in their opening game, while Mali were left frustrated by a late equalizer. This sets up a clash between a confident tournament host and a side eager to prove their quality.

 

📈Team Form📉

 

🔹 Morocco: Extended their unbeaten run to 26 matches with an opening win.

🔸 Mali: Began their campaign with a draw against Zambia.

 

📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊

 

🔥 Morocco are on a 26-match unbeaten run in all competitions & are unbeaten against Mali in four (4) meetings.

🔥 Morocco kept a clean sheet in their opening AFCON victory.

🔥 Mali were denied a win by a stoppage-time equalizer in their first match.

 

🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams🔥

 

🇲🇦Morocco | Recent Result: W🟢

Morocco's 25-match pre-tournament unbeaten run was extended comfortably. They are brilliant, with a better squad in both depth and quality than the team that reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.

They eased to an opening day victory with goals from Brahim Diaz and a spectacular overhead kick from Ayoub El Kaabi. They remain the clear favourites and will expect to control this match.

 

🇲🇱Mali | Recent Result: D🟡

Mali began with a steady but frustrating 1-1 draw. They often lack incision in the final third, a problem highlighted when they missed a penalty and conceded a very late goal.

They will head into this match knowing they will likely have to settle for being second best for large parts. Their plan will be to hang on and try to find opportunities, but facing the hosts is a formidable task.

 

👥 Predicted Lineups 👥

 

🇲🇦 Morocco (4-3-3): Bono, Mazraoui, Aguerd, El Yamiq, Hakimi, El Aynaoui, Amrabat, Ounahi, Brahim Diaz, Rahimi, Saibari.

 

🇲🇱 Mali (4-3-3): D. Diarra, W. Coulibaly, Diaby, Fofana, Dante, Sangare, Dieng, Haidara, Sinayoko, K. Doumbia, Nene.

 

🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀

 

✨ Brahim Diaz — The Real Madrid man scored in the opening game and is a key creative force for the talented Moroccan side.

✨ Lassine Sinayoko — He gave Mali the lead in their first match and will be crucial to their attacking hopes.

✨ Ayoub El Kaabi — Scored a spectacular overhead kick for Morocco and provided a major goal threat.

✨ Dorgeles Nene — The Fenerbahce winger is expected to start for Mali and will be vital for any hopes of getting away with a positive result.

 

💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵

 

💵 Morocco/Home to win = 1.55

💵 Mali/Away to win = 6.74

💵 Draw = 3.93

💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG No) = 1.53

This clash presents a test of momentum: a dominant and confident Morocco faces a Mali team that must be more clinical. With the host nation in such formidable form, they are the clear favourites to take control of the group.

Who do you think will take the points? Tell us your prediction in the comments.

 

 

🔗 You can follow the Morocco vs Mali game here on MSport.

 

#AFCON2025 #Morocco #Mali #AtlasLions #AFCON #CAF #Brahim #Diaz #Nene #Saintfiet