AFCON 2025 Preview: Group B

The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off this coming weekend. The tournament will be hosted by Morocco, starting on December 21, 2025, and running through January 2026. Group B in the tournament features our very own Bafana Bafana, seven-time AFCON winners Egypt, and then fellow Southern African sides Angola and Zimbabwe. Ahead of the kickoff, we are looking ahead to the action with group-by-group previews. This morning, we focus on Group B, assessing stats and predictions for Egypt, South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe.

Who will win Group B

South Africa (Bafana Bafana)

Bafana Bafana will be looking to build on their impressive AFCON 2023 when they jet off to Morocco. It’s been 30 years since the nation tasted gold, but the bronze medal from Ivory Coast was a solid sign of a team heading in the right direction. Tellingly, they did not sit on their laurels after that run. Since the bronze medal game against DRC at the last edition, Hugo Broos’ side have played 20 games and not lost any on the field (W12 D8). They are expected to progress in this group (given a solid 71% chance), with the highest probability being second place. The opening game against Angola will go a long way in deciding how they qualify,

Players to watch: Lyle Foster (Burnley), Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates)

Egypt

No nation has won more AFCON titles than Egypt (7), so their pedigree is unquestionable. Yet, it has been 16 years since the North African giants last won gold, leaving a nation that is hungry for glory. That said, they will come into this as one of the outright favourites, especially when you consider that hosts Morocco are on the opposite side of the draw. Mohamed Salah will be the player everyone tunes in to see, as this may be his last AFCON. The Liverpool legend has been to the final twice but came out on the losing side on both occasions (2017 and 2021).

However, they are heavy favourites to progress from the group, topping the group in 60% of simulations. They have been assigned a 94% chance of progress (whether in 1st or 2nd or 3rd), highlighting how they are the team to beat in Group B.

Players to watch: Mo Salah (Liverpool), Omar Marmoush (Man City), Trézéguet (Al Ahly)

Angola

Palancas Negras have qualified for back-to-back AFCON tournaments for the first time since 2013. Their last appearance saw them reach the quarter-finals, only to be knocked out by eventual finalists Nigeria. They will consider themselves a regular at the tournament now – this is their 10th appearance at AFCON. However, they have never gone beyond the quarter-finals, eliminated three times at that stage. The Angolans have been given a 63% chance to progress from the group, making them third favourites behind Bafana, who they face on Monday in their opener. The winner of this tie is likely to finish 2nd behind Egypt, based on Opta simulations.

Players to watch: Gelson Dala (Al-Wakrah), Mabululu (Al Ahli Tripoli), Fredy (Bodrum)

Zimbabwe

After disqualification in 2023 due to a FIFA suspension, the Warriors of Zimbabwe are back on the big stage once again. Off-field issues, particularly the stand-off with captain and Wolves defender Marshall Munetsi, have unfortunately dominated their pre-tournament headlines. The Warriors will be in their sixth tournament, but have never progressed past the groups before. Three wins in 15 group stage games across five (D2 L10) is not exactly a good record. They are given a 40% chance of reaching the Last 16. However, they will be quietly confident they can get a result against Bafana (who they drew with recently) and perhaps Angola.

Players to watch: Knowledge Musona (Scottland), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinatti), Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town)