AFCON 2025 Draws: Winners and Losers from Each Group

The anticipation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has reached a fever pitch following the official draw held in Rabat, Morocco. With the tournament set to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, across six Moroccan cities, fans across the continent are gearing up for what promises to be an unforgettable edition.

With 24 teams divided into six groups, each comprising four nations, the draw has thrown up some exciting matchups, potential upsets, and intense rivalries. But who emerged as the biggest winners and losers from the draw? Let’s break it all down in this expert analysis of the AFCON 2025 groups.

Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros

Winners: Morocco

As the host nation, Morocco finds itself in a comfortable position. The Atlas Lions are currently Africa’s highest-ranked team, boasting a squad filled with elite players, the likes of Brahim Diaz, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, and Eliesse Ben Seghir.

Many of these stars ply their trade in Europe’s top leagues. With a strong record at home and the unwavering support of their fans, they are clear favorites to top the group.

Furthermore, Morocco’s recent performances on the international stage, including their historic semi-final run in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, solidify their status as contenders. They will be aiming to claim their first AFCON title since 1976, and this group presents a relatively smooth path to the knockout rounds.

Losers: Comoros

Making only their second AFCON appearance, Comoros faces an uphill battle. While their qualification campaign was inspiring, the gulf in quality and experience compared to Morocco and Mali is significant. Despite their ability to spring surprises, as seen in AFCON 2021 when they eliminated Ghana, they will need a near-perfect campaign to advance beyond the group stage.

Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe

Winners: Egypt

When it comes to AFCON, no team has a richer history than Egypt. With a record seven titles, the Pharaohs always enter the tournament with high expectations. Their squad, led by Mohamed Salah, remains one of the strongest in Africa.

South Africa and Angola could provide stiff competition, but given Egypt’s experience and winning mentality, they are expected to progress comfortably. Their primary goal will be to avoid slip-ups and ensure a deep run into the tournament as they chase their first title since 2010.

Losers: Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe, despite boasting talented individuals, faces a daunting challenge. Their inconsistent form in recent years, combined with a tough draw, makes progression unlikely.

South Africa and Angola have stronger squads, and with Egypt as the group’s heavyweight, the Warriors might find it difficult to keep pace.

Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania

Winners: Nigeria

The Super Eagles are one of Africa’s most dominant teams, and this group draw favors them. With a formidable attack led by Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, who is the current African Player of the Year, Nigeria should have no trouble advancing.

Their depth in midfield and defense also gives them an edge over their opponents. Tunisia might pose a challenge, but Nigeria’s attacking firepower should see them emerge as group winners.

Losers: Tanzania

Tanzania has made great strides in African football, but they are the weakest team in this group. Facing Nigeria and Tunisia, two giants of the continent, will be an incredibly tough test. Unless they can pull off a major upset, they are unlikely to make it past the group stage.

Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana

Winners: Senegal

The reigning AFCON 2021 champions, Senegal, enter the tournament as one of the favorites. Led by Sadio Mané, they possess one of the most complete squads in Africa, with strong players across all positions. Their experience and winning mentality make them the team to beat in this group.

Losers: Botswana

Botswana is one of the minnows of African football and has never progressed far in a major international tournament. Facing powerhouses like Senegal and DR Congo, their primary focus will likely be on gaining valuable experience rather than making it to the next round.

Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Winners: Algeria

Despite recent disappointments, Algeria remains a strong force in African football. The Desert Foxes will see this group as a golden opportunity to redeem themselves after their shock early exit from AFCON 2021. With players like Riyad Mahrez and Ismaël Bennacer, they have the quality to top the group.

Losers: Sudan

Sudan, though rich in football history, lacks the squad depth and experience to compete with Algeria and Burkina Faso. They will need a miraculous performance to advance.

Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

Winners: Ivory Coast

The defending champions, Ivory Coast, are once again in a challenging group, but they have the pedigree to emerge on top. Their recent AFCON triumph will instill confidence as they aim to retain their title.

With the likes of Amad Diallo and Franck Kessie lining up for Ivory Coast, their passage to the next round is all but certain, on paper at the very least.

Losers: Mozambique

Mozambique faces three established footballing nations, making progression highly unlikely. Their focus will be on damage control rather than competing for a knockout-stage spot.

Who Are the Overall Biggest Winners and Losers?

Biggest Winner: Morocco

As hosts, Morocco not only secured home advantage but also landed in a manageable group. With their recent World Cup success, they are one of the favorites to win it all. Their squad depth, tactical versatility, and experience on the international stage set them apart.

Furthermore, playing in front of a passionate home crowd will provide a psychological advantage, making them even tougher to beat. Given their squad’s balance between youth and experience, Morocco has a golden opportunity to make history on their home soil.

Biggest Loser: Comoros

The small island nation faces an incredibly difficult group, making their AFCON journey a daunting one. Their qualification was a great achievement, but escaping Group A seems improbable.

While they have demonstrated resilience in past tournaments, the gap in squad quality against Morocco, Mali, and Zambia is undeniable.

Comoros will need a perfect blend of tactical discipline, defensive solidity, and a bit of luck to avoid an early exit. Despite their underdog spirit, they are likely to struggle against the seasoned teams in their group.

What This Means for AFCON 2025

The AFCON 2025 draw has set the stage for a thrilling tournament. With Africa’s biggest stars preparing to battle it out, fans can expect high drama, shocking upsets, and world-class football. Traditional powerhouses like Morocco, Nigeria, and Senegal have favorable paths, while underdogs like Comoros and Botswana will hope to defy the odds.

With so many storylines and rivalries set to unfold, AFCON 2025 is shaping up to be a classic. As we count down to kick-off in December, the excitement will only continue to build.

Stay tuned for more AFCON 2025 news, analysis, and updates as we get closer to the tournament!