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