Category: African News

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Cameroon saw off South Africa to set date with Morocco in quarter-finals
by Football Sierra Leone

Cameroon saw off South Africa to set date with Morocco in quarter-finals

Cameroon faced South Africa in a tense match but managed to secure a 2–1 victory in Rabat. This win means Cameroon moves on to the quarter-finals of the tournament to face host Morocco on Friday.

For the first 30 minutes, South Africa was the stronger team. They pressed hard, created chances, and forced Cameroon’s goalkeeper, Epassy, to make important saves. However, Cameroon stayed composed. In the 33rd minute, Tchamadeu scored the first goal, changing the game.

Feeling energised, Cameroon took charge of the match. Just after halftime, Kofane scored again in the 47th minute with a diving header. This put Cameroon up 2–0, a tough blow for South Africa.

Despite the score, South Africa kept pushing. Makgopa scored in the 87th minute, bringing hope to his team. The crowd in Rabat held their breath as Epassy faced more shots, but he held firm, and Cameroon clung to their lead until the final whistle.

With this win, Cameroon goes on to play Morocco in the quarter-finals on Friday at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

Carlos Baleba – Man of the Match, “We are set to face Morocco, a strong team. We’ve been performing well, and we need to stay calm and keep this up. Our positive mindset is key to our strength.”

Hugo Broos – South Africa Head Coach, “Our team didn’t deserve to lose. This isn’t the result we wanted, but we have to accept it and focus on our future goals, especially the World Cup.”

David Pagou – Cameroon Coach, “We are excited about the win. We’ve faced a tough schedule, but we’ve succeeded. We’re committed to improving and working together, which is essential for our team’s progress.”

Brahim Diaz helps Morocco reach AFCON 2025 quarter-finals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brahim Diaz helps Morocco reach AFCON 2025 quarter-finals

Morocco reached the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 by defeating Tanzania 1–0 in Rabat on Sunday. Brahim Diaz scored the only goal in the second half.

The match was challenging for the hosts, who controlled the game but struggled to create clear scoring chances against a strong Tanzanian defence.

Morocco, captained by Achraf Hakimi, started strong but struggled to score against a well-defending Tanzania. A goal from Ismail Saibari in the 24th minute was ruled offside by VAR, leaving the first half goalless.

After halftime, Morocco increased their urgency, with key moments like Diaz forcing a corner and El Khannouss shooting over the bar. Tanzania almost took the lead in the 56th minute with a missed opportunity from Feisal Toto.

Morocco finally broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute when Diaz scored from a tight angle, marking his fourth goal of the tournament and leading Morocco to a 1-0 victory. They advance to the quarter-finals, where they’ll face the winner of South Africa vs. Cameroon.

Diaz, named Man of the Match, acknowledged the challenge, while Tanzania’s coach, Miguel Ángel Gamondi, expressed pride in his team’s performance.

Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, praised the second-half effort and noted the injury to key player Azzedine Ounahi, emphasizing the team’s determination to succeed.

10-man Mali knock-out Tunisia in penalty shootout
by FSL News

10-man Mali advance after penalty shootout win over Tunisia

Mali defeated Tunisia in a penalty shootout 3-2 after a 1-1 draw in their Round of 16 match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, despite being reduced to ten men within the first thirty minutes.

The thrilling clash took place on Saturday at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, Morocco, with El Bilal Touré stepping up to convert the decisive penalty, securing a hard-fought victory for Les Aigles.

Both sides approached the match with caution, resulting in limited scoring opportunities. Early on, Mali’s chances took a hit when right back Woyo Coulibaly was shown a red card for a late challenge on Hannibal Mejbri, leaving his team in a precarious position.

Tunisia struggled to find their rhythm against a determined Malian side, lacking the attacking flair to capitalise on its opportunities. Despite their physical play, Tunisia missed several set pieces, while Mali threatened on the counter-attack.

In the 89th minute, Tunisia found inspiration when Elias Saad crossed to substitute Firas Chaouat, who scored with a flicked header, seemingly securing a quarterfinal spot. However, a late penalty for Mali, converted by Sinayoko, levelled the score and sent the match into extra time.

The deadlock continued through extra time, leading to a penalty shootout. Tunisia initially took the lead, but missed penalties from Bissouma and Abdi proved costly. Diarra’s save against Ben Romdhane opened the door for Touré, who scored the winning penalty for Mali.

Mali advances to face Senegal in the quarterfinals on January 9 in Tangier, following Senegal’s earlier win over Sudan.

Senegal through to AFCON quarter-final after defeating Sudan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal through to AFCON quarter-finals after defeating Sudan

Senegal staged a remarkable comeback to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, triumphing over Sudan with a 3-1 victory at the Grande de Tanger stadium on Saturday.

The match got off to a surprising start, with Sudan taking the lead just six minutes into the game. Aamir Abdallah showcased his striking prowess, netting a well-placed shot that caught the Senegalese defence off guard and sent their supporters into a frenzy.

For the first 25 minutes, Sudan appeared firmly in control, showing confidence and creating opportunities that had the Senegalese side on the defensive.

However, the tide began to turn in the 29th minute when Pape Gueye, a midfielder from Villarreal, found the back of the net, levelling the score and shifting the momentum in favour of Senegal.

He struck again just before halftime in the 45th minute, leaving the Sudanese players shaken and struggling to regain their composure.

As the second half unfolded, Senegal continued to assert their dominance, with Ibrahim Mbaye adding a third goal in a decisive moment, solidifying the Senegalese lead and effectively putting the match beyond Sudan’s reach.

In the final stages of the match, despite being three goals up with just five minutes remaining, the Senegalese team remained aggressive and tenacious, fighting for every ball with determination.

This perseverance was epitomised moments later when Pape Gueye was substituted off for Pathe Ciss after preparing to take a corner from the left side.

Tunisia and Mali set for a cracking AFCON knockout contest
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tunisia and Mali set for a cracking AFCON knockout contest

Brave Mali set to go up against North African opposition Tunisia in the round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, taking place at Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca on Saturday.

Mali advanced to the knockout phase by finishing second in Group A, securing two draws against Zambia and Morocco, and a goalless draw against Comoros. Despite being unbeaten, they didn’t achieve any victories in the group.

In their last six competitive matches, Mali has shown tough composure, with two wins and four draws. Historically, they are consistent AFCON performers, frequently reaching the knockout stages, though they have yet to win the tournament.

Tunisia reached the round of 16 by finishing second in Group C, starting with a 3-1 victory over Uganda, followed by a loss to Nigeria and a draw with Tanzania. Their group stage performance highlighted both attacking potential and defensive vulnerabilities.

Tunisia’s depth of experience in the Africa Cup of Nations, including their previous title in 2004, gives them an advantage as they approach the knockout stage of football.

Both teams have faced each other 13 times since 1994, with Tunisia winning six matches, Mali four, and three ending in draws. Recent meetings have been closely contested.

Mali’s head coach, Tom Saintfiet, made four changes to the lineup that drew with Morocco. However, they will be without key midfielder Amadou Haidara, who is suspended following a red card in their last match. There is positive news regarding injuries, as Sikou Niakate is back in training.

Tunisia’s head coach, Sami Trabelsi, has a nearly full-strength squad, with no suspensions reported. The main concern is Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, who suffered a knee injury, but initial assessments suggest it is not serious. Additionally, Elias Achouri is expected to return to full fitness soon after a minor injury.

Mali’s possible starting lineup:

Diarra; W. Coulibaly, Diaby, O. Camara, Gassama; Dieng, Doumbia, L. Coulibaly, Sangare, Bissouma; Sinayoko

Tunisia’s possible starting lineup:

Dahmen; Abdi, Talbi, Bronn, Valery; Skhiri, Gharbi, Mejbri; Achouri, Tounekti, Mastouri

AFCON 2025 Round of 16 fixtures – Saturday, 3 January 2026 
  • Mali vs Tunisia 20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT
    Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca