FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Jan

02

2026

AFCON 2025: The beautiful chaos unfolds

FOOTBALL

WELL, well, well. If you needed reminding why the Africa Cup of Nations remains the most deliciously unpredictable tournament on the planet, Morocco 2025's group stage just delivered a masterclass in controlled chaos, absolute brilliance, and the kind of goalmouth carnage that makes football purists weep with joy. Eighty-seven goals in 24 matches. That's 3.6 goals per game for those keeping score at home, which is more than your average European snoozefest can muster on a good day. Africa's finest didn't just come to play; they came to perform. Group A: Morocco Flexes at Home, Mali Refuses to Budge The…

Dec

31

2025

By The African Mirror

When winning means losing your captain: An AFCON tale of triumph, Tanzania, and tactical tomfoolery

FOOTBALL

IN what can only be described as a masterclass in "how to make life unnecessarily difficult for yourself," Senegal managed to finish top of Group D while simultaneously torpedoing their knockout stage plans. It's the football equivalent of acing your final exam but accidentally setting your notes on fire on the way out of the classroom. The Lions of Teranga dispatched Benin 3-0 in Tangier on Tuesday, which sounds straightforward until you learn that their captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, decided to audition for a career in professional wrestling with about 20 minutes remaining. The Al-Hilal defender's "clumsy tackle" - diplomatic Reuters-speak…

Dec

30

2025

By The African Mirror

AFCON 2025 Day 7: Drama, Bicycle Kicks, and Beautiful Chaos

FOOTBALL

IF you blinked during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations group stage finale, you missed approximately seventeen plot twists, one gravity-defying bicycle kick, and enough late drama to fill a Netflix series. Welcome to African football, where the script is written in invisible ink and VAR has trust issues. Morocco 3-0 Zambia: El Kaabi channels his inner acrobat Let's start with the hosts, shall we? Morocco weren't about to let a little thing like "pressure" ruin their evening in front of a partisan crowd that would have personally escorted them to the knockout stages if necessary. The Atlas Lions…

Dec

29

2025

By The African Mirror

AFCON 2025 DAY 6: Drama, history and heartbreak in Morocco

FOOTBALL

THE sixth day of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco served up a feast of football that had it all: historic breakthroughs, stunning goals, dramatic own goals, and championship pedigree on full display. Champions Frustrated as Cameroon Stand Firm Under the lights of Marrakech, defending champions Côte d'Ivoire were held to a pulsating 1-1 draw by Cameroon in what proved to be the evening's most technically accomplished encounter. The Indomitable Lions showed exactly why they're perennial contenders, matching the champions stride for stride in a contest that crackled with quality. Manchester United's Amad Diallo provided the moment of…

Dec

28

2025

By The African Mirror

AFCON 2025: Saturday’s Spectacular dramas, near-disasters, and historic Triumphs

FOOTBALL

PICTURE this: You're up 3-0 with fifteen minutes to go. You're practically booking your hotel for the Round of 16. The champagne is on ice. And then Tunisia - bless their relentless hearts - decide they didn't get the memo about lying down gracefully. Nigeria's Super Eagles spent Saturday night in Fez proving that no lead is truly safe when you're determined to give your fans premature grey hair. After Ademola Lookman orchestrated a footballing symphony that had Tunisia spinning like a Moroccan pottery wheel, Eric Chelle's men appeared destined for a comfortable cruise to the knockout stages. Lookman, the…

Dec

27

2025

By The African Mirror

AFCON 2025: Drama, penalties, and Pharaohs rising

FOOTBALL

THE TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 delivered another electrifying round of fixtures on Friday, December 26th, serving up a feast of drama that had everything: controversial penalties, VAR interventions, heroic defending, and one team booking their ticket to the knockout stages in spectacular fashion. Morocco 1-1 Mali: Atlas Lions Held at Home In what should have been a coronation in Rabat, Morocco found themselves clawing for points against a resilient Malian side that refused to be intimidated by the raucous home crowd. The match was a tactical chess match that exploded into life through two moments of…

Dec

25

2025

By The African Mirror

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS: Drama, delight as defending champions launch title defence

FOOTBALL

DAY Four of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 burst into life on Wednesday with a thrilling quartet of matches that served up everything from last-gasp heroics to clinical efficiency, as defending champions Côte d'Ivoire joined Cameroon atop their group with hard-fought victories. CAMEROON SILENCE CRITICS WITH VITAL WIN Cameroon put aside weeks of turmoil to open their campaign with a 1-0 victory over neighbours Gabon in Agadir, offering a welcome respite for the five-time champions who have endured a torrid period leading into the tournament. Karl Etta Eyong's early strike — squeezed under goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba in…

Dec

24

2025

By The African Mirror

AFCON 2025 Matchday 3: Drama, dominance as favourites flex their muscles

FOOTBALL

THE TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 roared into life on Tuesday evening with a captivating slate of matches that delivered everything from commanding performances to heart-stopping drama, as four nations stamped their authority on the opening round of group stage fixtures. Tunisia announce their arrival with commanding victory Tunisia's Carthage Eagles soared at the Annex Olympic Stadium of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, dismantling Uganda 3-1 in a performance that announced their title credentials to the continent. The North African side seized control from the opening whistle, with Elyes Skhiri breaking the deadlock after…

Dec

22

2025

By The African Mirror

AFCON 2025: Opening round delivers drama, heroics and heartbreak

FOOTBALL

THE Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations exploded into life with a thrilling opening round that showcased breathtaking goals, dramatic late twists, and performances that defied expectations across Morocco's gleaming stadiums. Bafana Bafana Break Two-Decade Drought In the sun-drenched cauldron of Marrakech, Lyle Foster etched his name into South African football folklore with a moment of pure artistry that ended a 21-year wait. The Burnley striker, South Africa's lone warrior in the Premier League trenches, collected the ball 20 metres from goal in the 79th minute and unleashed a curling thunderbolt into the top corner that left Angola's goalkeeper grasping…

Dec

22

2025

By The African Mirror

Díaz, El Kaabi strike as Morocco grind past stubborn Comoros

FOOTBALL

MOROCCO launched their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations title challenge with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Comoros on Sunday night, but the tournament favorites were made to work far harder than expected against opponents who defended with discipline and threatened on the counter. Second-half goals from Brahim Díaz and Ayoub El Kaabi ultimately settled a contest that exposed both Morocco's overwhelming territorial dominance and their occasional vulnerability to well-organized opposition. While the result delivers three crucial points and top spot in Group A, the performance raised questions about cutting edge and composure that Walid Regragui will need to address…