Football
28 Jan 2025
0

Holders Ivory Coast Draw Cameroon in Afcon 2025 Group Stages

Ivory Coast are the defending champions after lifting the 2023 Afcon trophy on home soil following their 2-1 win over Nigeria in the final

Reigning champions Ivory Coast have been drawn into a challenging Group F for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco. The Elephants will face Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique in the group stage, setting up a thrilling contest for Africa’s biggest footballing event, which runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.


Afcon 2025 Draw Highlights

At a star-studded ceremony in Rabat, some of Africa’s most celebrated football figures, including Mustapha Hadji, Serge Aurier, and Joseph Yobo, helped conduct the draw.

  • Hosts Morocco will open the tournament against Comoros in Group A.
  • Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 Afcon final, have been drawn into Group C alongside Tunisia, with Uganda and Tanzania completing the group.
  • Group B will see three southern African teams, South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe, clash with Mohamed Salah’s Egypt.
  • War-torn Sudan has qualified and will compete in Group E alongside Algeria, Burkina Faso, and Equatorial Guinea.

The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout phase.


Full Group Stage Draw

The draw for Afcon 2025 was conducted by (from left to right) Mustapha Hadji, Serge Aurier, Caf's Samson Adamu, Aliou Cisse and Joseph Yobo
The draw for Afcon 2025 was conducted by (from left to right) Mustapha Hadji, Serge Aurier, Caf’s Samson Adamu, Aliou Cisse and Joseph Yobo
  • Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
  • Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
  • Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
  • Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
  • Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
  • Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

Venue and Hosting Details

Morocco, which stepped in as hosts after Guinea was stripped of the tournament due to infrastructure concerns, has confirmed matches will be played across six cities and nine stadiums.

  • The Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat will host the final.
  • Matches will also take place in Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes, Tangier, Agadir, and Rabat.

As co-hosts of the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, Morocco plans to construct a 115,000-seater stadium near Casablanca by 2027.


Key Contenders and Storylines

  • Ivory Coast vs Cameroon: A heavyweight clash in Group F featuring perennial Afcon powerhouses.
  • Morocco’s Showpiece: After their strong World Cup 2022 performance, Morocco looks to dominate on home soil.
  • Nigeria’s Redemption: Nigeria, led by manager José Peseiro, seeks to reclaim glory after narrowly losing the 2023 final.
  • Sudan’s Resilience: Despite ongoing civil unrest, Sudan’s qualification symbolizes hope amidst adversity.

Conclusion

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations promises to deliver thrilling matchups and captivating storylines. With 24 teams vying for the prestigious title, Morocco is set to showcase its growing footballing infrastructure while providing a global stage for African talent.

Leave a Reply

Rating