Group B of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations officially exploded into life yesterday, Monday, December 22nd, with two nail-biting 2-1 finishes that saw the heavyweights narrowly avoid opening-day disasters. From Marrakech to Agadir, it was a night defined by late-game heroics and record-breaking relief.
1. The Agadir Heartstopper: Egypt 2–1 Zimbabwe
The Pharaohs were minutes away from a frustrating draw until their talismanic captain took matters into his own hands.
- The Drama: Zimbabwe stunned the record champions early on, taking a shock lead that sent jitters through the Egyptian side.
- The Fightback: Omar Marmoush leveled the score to give Egypt hope, but as the clock ticked into the 90th minute, it looked like points would be shared.
- The Hero: In the dying embers of injury time, Mohamed Salah found space in the box to fire home a dramatic winner, sparking wild celebrations and ensuring Egypt started their quest for an eighth title with maximum points.
2. The Marrakech Breakthrough: South Africa 2–1 Angola
For the first time in 21 years, Bafana Bafana have won their opening AFCON match, ending a curse that has haunted them since 2004.
- The Early Lead: Oswin Appollis put South Africa ahead in the 21st minute with a clinical finish after a period of dominant possession.
- The Setback: Angola’s Show steered in a free-kick to equalise before the break, leading to a tense second half where both sides struck the woodwork and South Africa had a goal disallowed by VAR.
- The Clincher: Burnley striker Lyle Foster proved why he’s South Africa’s most dangerous asset, curling a sensational 20-yard strike into the top corner in the 79th minute to seal a historic victory.
📊 Group B Standings After Matchday 1
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| Egypt | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| Angola | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
The Big Picture: With both favorites sitting on 3 points, the stage is set for a massive showdown later this week. Elsewhere, Group A saw Mali and Zambia play out a 1-1 draw, keeping the hosts Morocco comfortably at the top of that section.
The action continues today as the Super Eagles of Nigeria finally begin their campaign against Tanzania! Would you like a preview of Nigeria’s opening game?
