Favourites Dominate as Knockout Stage Approaches in Afcon 2025
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is reaching a critical juncture as the knockout stage looms. The initial rounds have seen the tournament’s heavyweights assert their dominance, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating conclusion.
Algeria and Nigeria have both emerged from the group stage with perfect records, winning all three of their matches. Egypt, powered by the prolific Mohamed Salah, secured progression with a solid seven points, while hosts Morocco also maintained their unbeaten streak. However, as the competition heats up, several underdogs are eager to pull off upsets.
Top Teams Avoid Upsets Thus Far
This year, the tournament has been marked by a lack of surprises, particularly among the top-ranked nations. Unlike the previous tournament where Algeria, Tunisia, and Ghana stumbled, this time all twelve top-ranked teams have advanced without significant challenges. Algeria’s captain, Riyad Mahrez, has been in exceptional form, leading the scoring charts with three goals.
In a noteworthy upset, Mozambique, ranked 102nd in the world, finally clinched their first-ever Afcon victory by defeating Gabon in a hard-fought match. Gabon’s response to their dismal showing was swift; the entire coaching staff was dismissed, and player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was banned from the national team.
Sudan, despite their struggles due to ongoing civil unrest back home, also made headlines by reaching the knockout stage for only the second time since their 1970 championship, thanks to a critical win against Equatorial Guinea.
Emerging Stars: Cheetahs and Taifa Stars
Mozambique is not alone in making history this tournament. Tanzania has also advanced to the knockout stage for the first time, despite being winless in 12 previous appearances at the finals. The Taifa Stars managed to qualify with just two points, a feat never before achieved since the expansion to a 24-team format in 2019.
Benin, featuring for the fifth time, has broken a 15-match winless streak in Afcon with a victory, marking a significant milestone for the team. They now face Egypt, a challenging opponent with a storied history in the tournament.
Salah’s Resurgence
Mohamed Salah has found his scoring touch just in time for Egypt’s crucial knockout matches. With two goals already in the tournament, he has matched his personal best for Afcon goals. His contributions have been pivotal; he netted a last-minute winner against Zimbabwe and converted a penalty in a tense match against South Africa. After a challenging start to the season with Liverpool, Salah’s performance in the knockout rounds will be closely scrutinized as he aims to leave a lasting impact.
Hakimi’s Fitness Concerns
Achraf Hakimi, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, made his return to action as a substitute in Morocco’s final group match against Zambia after nearly two months out with an ankle injury. Coach Walid Regragui has expressed cautious optimism about Hakimi’s potential impact, acknowledging the tactical demands placed on the full-back position. As Morocco prepares for their knockout clash, the fitness and form of Hakimi will be vital to their hopes of advancing.
Dark Horses in the Mix
Several teams are positioning themselves as dark horses as the knockout stage approaches. The DR Congo has shown promise, holding the defending champions Senegal to a draw in the group stage. Meanwhile, Tunisia, with a mix of experience and youth, is also looking to make a deep run, having narrowly avoided a group-stage exit.
Cameroon, under new management, has a wealth of attacking options, including Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo, who has been instrumental in their campaign. Mali remains unbeaten, but coach Tom Saintfiet has warned his players that significant improvement will be necessary to challenge for the title.
The Wettest Afcon Yet?
As the tournament unfolds, Morocco is making headlines not just for its football but for the weather conditions impacting play. Frequent rain has led to some of the wettest matches in Afcon history, contrasting sharply with the usual dry and hot environments of past tournaments. Players have had to contend with challenging conditions, but the high-quality pitches have held up well, showcasing Morocco’s investment in stadium infrastructure ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
With the knockout stage set to begin, fans can expect a thrilling continuation of the tournament, filled with potential surprises and standout performances. The stage is set for the giants to clash and for underdogs to strive for glory in what is shaping up to be an unforgettable Africa Cup of Nations.
Reviewed by: News Desk
Edited with AI assistance + Human research