FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Feb

07

2025

TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025: Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire face tough fixtures in Group F

FOOTBALL

THE TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, will see defending champions Côte d'Ivoire lead Group F, where they will face stiff competition from Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique. With five-time winners Cameroon among their challengers, and two unpredictable teams in Gabon and Mozambique, this group promises high-stakes drama. Côte d'Ivoire Open Title Defence Against Mozambique The Elephants will begin their AFCON 2025 title defence on December 24, 2025, against Mozambique at Grand Stade de Marrakech in Marrakech. Fresh off their victorious campaign in AFCON 2023, Côte d'Ivoire will be determined to start strong. However, Mozambique, returning to the tournament…

Feb

07

2025

By The African Mirror

TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana clashes revealed in Group D

FOOTBALL

THE TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, will witness an exciting battle in Group D, featuring Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana. The group promises a mix of experience and ambition, with the 2021 AFCON champions, Senegal, looking to dominate, while DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana aim to cause upsets. Senegal Begins Title Hunt Against Benin The group kicks off on December 23, 2025, with Senegal facing Benin at Stade de Tanger in Tangier. The Teranga Lions, who won their maiden AFCON title in 2021, are among the favourites and will be expected to start strong. However, Benin, known for…

Feb

06

2025

By The African Mirror

TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025: East Africa’s time to rise

FOOTBALL

SPECIAL focus will be on East Africa’s performance at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, as the region continues to attract attention as hosts of this year’s TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship as well as the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2027. The Ugandan Cranes alongside the Taifa Stars of Tanzania are the two East African representatives at this year’s TotalEnergies CAF AFCON finals set to take place between 21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026. Interestingly, both nations find themselves in a tough Group C that has them pitted against three-time champions, Nigeria as well as 2004 winners, Tunisia. As co-hosts of…

Feb

05

2025

By The African Mirror

Chipolopolo skipper Lubambo Musonda on Zambia’s chances in Morocco

FOOTBALL

ZAMBIA have been drawn in a “fair group” and will need to work hard for a great TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 tournament. These were the views expressed by Chipolopolo captain, Lubambo Musonda on the team’s chances at the finals set to take place in Morocco between 25 December 2025 – 18 January 2026. The Southern African nation finds themselves housed in Group A alongside tournament hosts, Morocco, and Mali as well as Southern African counterparts Comoros in one of the groups fiercely dubbed as the group of death. Zambia kick-off their campaign against West African powerhouse,…

Feb

05

2025

By The African Mirror

Congolese Star, Merveille Kanjinga signs with PSG

FOOTBALL

DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo star, Merveille Kanjinga has officially put pen to paper with French club, Paris Saint-Germain after the club announced the signing on Friday, 31 January in a move that will see Kanjinga at the club until 2027. Developed by Congolese giants TP Mazembe, Kanjinga has established herself as one of the best players on the continent with her outstanding performances. In her first season (2021), Kanjinga finished as the top scorer of the National Championship with 23 goals. Her goal-scoring instinct and consistency were key to Mazembe's success, with whom she secured three doubles (Cup and League)…

Feb

05

2025

By The African Mirror

Wydad bolster squad with South African Lorch signing amid transfer drive

FOOTBALL

MOROCCAN giants Wydad Casablanca have completed the signing of South African winger Thembinkosi Lorch from Mamelodi Sundowns, reinforcing their squad in a significant winter transfer window. Lorch, 30, joins the Botola Pro side on a six-month loan deal with an option to buy, becoming Wydad’s fourth signing of the January window. The former Orlando Pirates star arrives at a crucial time as the club looks to compete on multiple fronts domestically and in continental competitions. The announcement was made in a stylized video, reminiscent of Egyptian side Al Ahly’s unveiling of Anthony Modeste last summer. Lorch, known for his pace and…

Feb

03

2025

By The African Mirror

CAF announce match schedule for TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025

FOOTBALL

Hosts Morocco and Comoros to open the tournament on 21 December, 2025 Six cities and nine stadiums to stage Africa’s flagship sports event Final to be played at the 69,500-seater Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on 18 January, 2026 THE Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced the match schedule for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 which will see nine venues used across six cities for the continent’s greatest football show. Morocco and Comoros will kick off the tournament on 21 December 2025 with a Group A fixture at the newly-built 69,500-seater Complexe Sportif…

Feb

03

2025

By The African Mirror

Mali Coach Tom Saintfiet: “We want to play seven matches at AFCON 2025”

FOOTBALL

MALI head coach Tom Saintfiet has set his sights on a deep run at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, insisting that his team’s ambition is to reach at least the semi-finals. Speaking after the group stage draw in Rabat, the Belgian tactician expressed satisfaction with the Group A draw, which sees Mali face hosts Morocco, Zambia, and Comoros. While acknowledging the challenge ahead, Saintfiet remains confident that the Eagles can compete at the highest level. Mali, who will be making their 14th AFCON appearance, were drawn in a group that features Morocco, a team that made history…

Feb

03

2025

By The African Mirror

Uganda coach Paul Put: “We must believe in ourselves” ahead of tough group

FOOTBALL

UGANDA head coach Paul Put has called on his players to seize the opportunity and prove themselves at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 after the Cranes were drawn into Group C alongside Nigeria, Tunisia, and Tanzania. Following the draw, the Belgian tactician acknowledged the tough challenge ahead, facing Nigeria, runners-up at the last AFCON, and Tunisia, a consistent tournament performer, but insisted his team must believe in their ability to compete. With Uganda set to co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Kenya and Tanzania, Put believes AFCON 2025 will serve as an important test for the team’s growth and…

Jan

31

2025

By The African Mirror

South Africa trainer Hugo Broos targets knockout stages but sees Egypt as group favourites

FOOTBALL

SOUTH AFRICA head coach Hugo Broos has acknowledged that Egypt will be the team to beat in Group B at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 but remains optimistic about Bafana Bafana’s chances of progressing to the knockout rounds. Drawn alongside Egypt, Zimbabwe, and Angola, South Africa—who secured third place at TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2023—are aiming to build on their recent success and challenge for their first continental title since 1996. Speaking after the AFCON 2025 draw in Rabat on Monday, Broos expressed confidence in his squad while recognizing the difficulty of the task ahead. Broos was…