FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Feb

05

2025

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…

Jan

31

2025

By The African Mirror

Tanzania head coach, Hemed Suleiman Ali – “There is no other way”

FOOTBALL

HEAD coach of the Taffia Stars, Hemed Suleiman Ali says every group of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 presents its own challenges, and that their Group C pool is no different to any of the other five groups. The Tanzania head coach was reacting to Monday evening’s TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 draw in Rabat which saw the East Africans drawn in an interesting group that pairs them with neighbours Uganda, as well as two former African champions Nigeria and Tunisia. Tanzania, a fast-growing African football nation is headed to its 4th TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup…

Jan

31

2025

By The African Mirror

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan sets sights on eighth TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title

FOOTBALL

EGYPT head coach Hossam Hassan has declared his ambition to guide the Pharaohs to a record-extending eighth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title as they prepare to compete in Morocco. Speaking after Monday night’s draw in Rabat, Hassan emphasized the quality of his squad and the responsibility they bear as one of the tournament’s most successful nations. Egypt, seven-time AFCON champions, have been drawn into Group B, where they will face South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe. The group presents a mix of familiar foes, with Egypt holding a long-standing rivalry with South Africa, dating back to AFCON 1996 when Bafana Bafana…

Jan

30

2025

By The African Mirror

Ex-Nigeria captain Yobo confident in Super Eagles’ title prospects after draw

FOOTBALL

NIGERIA'S legendary captain, Joseph Yobo, has expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances of clinching a fourth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title at the 2025 tournament, following the official draw held on Monday in Rabat, Morocco. The Super Eagles were drawn into Group C alongside 2004 champions Tunisia, East African duo Uganda and Tanzania—co-hosts of the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF AFCON. Reflecting on the group and Nigeria’s historical pedigree, Yobo, a key figure in Nigeria’s last AFCON triumph in 2013, was optimistic about the team’s prospects. “We have a good young crop and a new generation of players that have…