The final round of group-stage matches at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 begins on Monday, with qualification still open for most teams as the race for the knockout stage intensifies.

According to the Confederation of African Football, only three teams — Egypt, Nigeria and Algeria — have secured places in the Round of 16 after winning their first two matches, leaving the remaining slots to be decided over the final set of group fixtures.

CAF stated that the closing matches will determine not only the top two teams in each group, who qualify automatically, but also the best third-placed teams who can advance to the knockout phase.

This was detailed in a Monday release titled, “AFCON 2025: Final group games begin as knockout race tightens in Morocco,” obtained from the CAF website.

The statement read: “The final round of group-stage matches at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 gets under way on Monday with qualification still on the line for most of the field — and the familiar AFCON promise of late drama firmly intact.”

CAF noted that Monday’s matches will be played simultaneously in each group to heighten the stakes.

In Group B, Egypt sit top with six points and are already through, but the remaining qualification places are undecided. South Africa are second on three points and face Zimbabwe, while Angola and Zimbabwe are tied on one point, with Angola needing a win against Egypt and favourable results elsewhere.

Group A remains open, with hosts Morocco leading on four points. Mali and Zambia are level on two points, while Comoros have one. Morocco face Zambia, while Mali meet Comoros in matches that will decide the final standings.

On Tuesday, attention shifts to Group C, where Nigeria have already qualified and face Uganda. Tunisia, on three points, play Tanzania, with all three teams behind Nigeria still in contention for progression.

Group D also heads into the final round finely balanced, with Senegal and DR Congo on four points, Benin on three and Botswana yet to register a point. Senegal face Benin, while DR Congo play Botswana.

The final group matches will be concluded on Wednesday. In Group E, Algeria have already qualified, but Burkina Faso and Sudan are level on three points and competing for the remaining place. Group F sees Cameroon and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire tied on four points, with Mozambique still in the race on three points despite Gabon’s elimination.

CAF added: “If the opening two rounds have taught anything, it is that AFCON rarely follows a script. The final group games, spread across three days, look set to deliver the decisive twists.”

Final round of group-stage fixtures (all times GMT)
Monday, 29 December

16:00 — Angola vs Egypt
16:00 — Zimbabwe vs South Africa
19:00 — Zambia vs Morocco
19:00 — Comoros vs Mali

Tuesday, 30 December

16:00 — Uganda vs Nigeria
16:00 — Tanzania vs Tunisia
19:00 — Benin vs Senegal
19:00 — Botswana vs DR Congo

Wednesday, 31 December

16:00 — Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria
16:00 — Sudan vs Burkina Faso
19:00 — Gabon vs Côte d’Ivoire
19:00 — Mozambique vs Cameroon