AFCON 2025: Ex-BVB star returns from injury, Haidara sent off

The third round of AFCON 2025 started on Monday with the closure of the first couple of groups.

Hosts Morocco topped their group in style with a memorable 3-0 victory over Zambia. Ayoub El Kaabi scored with a scissor-kick for the second time in the competition, while ex-Dortmund fullback Achraf Hakimi played his first game since PSG’s home Champions League loss to Bayern Munich.

Both Bilal El Khannouss and Eliesse Ben Seghir had two substitute appearances in the group stage. Magdeburg’s Lubambo Musonda captained Zambia in the absence of Fashion Sakala, but his tournament has now ended as the 2012 champions finished bottom of the group.

Mali and Comoros drew goalless in the other game of the group that was played simultaneously. Amadou Haidara, whose move from RB Leipzig to Ligue 1 leaders RC Lens is already confirmed, saw a late red card.

Tom Saintfiet’s team drew all three games, but they are through to the knockout stages as the runner-up. Haidara will miss the Round of 16 tie against the runner-up of Group C on Saturday.

In Group B, as expected, Egypt and South Africa finished in the automatic qualification spots. Egypt’s much-changed team finished goalless with Angola, while South Africa beat neighbours Zimbabwe 3-2 in a topsy-turvy encounter. Jonah Fabisch registered an assist for Zimbabwe, but he’ll now return to his 3. Liga club Erzgebirge Aue as they finished bottom of the group.

Since Angola and Comoros finished third in their respective groups with only two points, Mozambique, Benin, and Sudan have already confirmed their places in the Round of 16. Nigeria, Senegal, DR Congo, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon are also through to the next round. The remaining four groups will be concluded in the next couple of days.