SA drawn against Egypt & Nigeria to face Tunisia in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations draw.

By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

South Africa discovered their group-stage opponents for the forthcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals after the draw was conducted on Monday night.

The draw took place at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco.

The 24 participating teams are split into six groups consisting of four teams each, with hosts Morocco automatically placed in Group A.

Bafana Bafana have been drawn in Group B alongside neighbours Zimbabwe, Egypt and Angola.

Hosts Morocco face giantkillers Comoros in the opening match of the 24-team tournament on 21 December while title-holders Ivory Coast will come up against five-time winners Cameroon.

Sudan, a country ravaged by civil war, drew Algeria, and the clash of Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to be another group-stage highlight.

Tunisia, making a record 17th consecutive Afcon appearance, Nigeria and east African contenders Uganda and Tanzania complete Group C.

Amad Diallo, scorer of a recent hat-trick for Manchester United against Southampton, is a likely starter for Ivory Coast, who will also meet Gabon and Mozambique in Group F.

In the previous 13 editions from 2000, only Tunisia in 2004, Egypt two years later and the Ivory Coast in 2024 have triumphed at home.

And all three triumphs were hard earned with Tunisia edging Morocco 2-1, Egypt pipping the Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout and the Ivorians coming from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 last year.

Ivory Coast are the only country to have been crowned champions twice in the past eight editions of a competition first staged in 1957 and won by Egypt in Khartoum.

The other champions were Egypt, for a record seventh time in 2010, Zambia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria and Senegal.

CAF president Patrick Motsepe from South Africa told reporters he believes the first Afcon to span two years will also be the most successful.

“I am extremely excited about the Afcon in Morocco – it is going to be the most successful yet. Ivory Coast raised the bar last year and now we must reach even greater heights.

Originally slated for mid-2025, the tournament had to be delayed because to avoid clashing with the maiden edition of the revamped Fifa Club World Cup in the United States.

“The new dates will not affect the tournament. Africa boasts many exceptionally talented footballers and all of them will be in Morocco,” added Motsepe.

DRAW

Group A

Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros

Group B

Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe

Group C

Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania

Group D

Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Botswana

Group E

Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Group F

Ivory Coast (holders), Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique.

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