Rise of a Football God-Chapter 367 : AFCON 2025 [2]

(AFCON 2025:)

(Group Stage- Matchday 1 of 3:)

(Morocco 6-0 Comoros)

(Date: 21st December, 2025)

…

(Mali – Zambia)

(Date: 22nd December, 2025)

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(South Africa – Angola)

(Date: 22nd December, 2025)

…

(Egypt – Zimbabwe)

(Date: 22nd December, 2025)

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(Senegal – Botswana)

(Date: 23rd December, 2025)

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(Tunisia – Uganda)

(Date: 23rd December, 2025)

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(DR Congo – Benin)

(Date: 23rd December, 2025)

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(Nigeria – Tanzania)

(Date: 23rd December, 2025)

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(Algeria – Sudan)

(Date: 24th December, 2025)

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(Ivory Coast – Mozambique)

(Date: 24th December, 2025)

…

(Cameroon – Gabon)

(Date: 24th December, 2025)

…

(Burkina Faso – Equatorial Guinea)

(Date: 24th December, 2025)

Morocco opened the AFCON 2025 with a performance that captured the heart of every football fan who watched the game.

They set an early marker as one of the proven favorites of the tournament.

On the evening of the 21st, they opened the tournament and then the next day, on 22nd, the intensity of the AFCON tournament truly started.

3 games were played on the 22nd.

First was the clash between Mali and Zambia, then the clash between South Africa and Angola, and then the clash between Egypt and Zimbabwe.

By the end of the day, one day dominated the headlines, Mohamed Salah.

After a tight game of incredible football, Zambia narrowly won 1-0 over Mali, while South Africa and Angola played a 2-2 draw. As for Egypt though, the Egyptians went on a rout, running circles around their opponents all game.

Zimbabwe suffered under the assault of the Pharaohs.

Led by the electric Egyptian Mohamed Salah, and a stalwart Omar Marmoush, Egypt was solid enough to steamroll through their opponents.

The first goal came in the 33rd minute, Omar Marmoush setting Salah up. 3 touches, the first to control the ball, the second to skip past his marker and into the 18-yard box, and the third to slot it into the bottom right corner.

Mohamed Salah celebrated by doing his customary praying celebration.

That goal killed the Zimbabwe momentum, and Egypt ran rampant.

Just 5 minutes later after the first goal, in the 38th minute of the game, Mohamed Salah got his brace, courtesy of another Omar Marmoush assist as he riffled the ball into the roof of the net, leaving the Zimbabwe goalkeeper no chance.

And then, in the 45th minute, the 3rd goal entered, courtesy of an own goal from one of the Zimbabwe players.

The first half came to an end 3-0 in Egypt's favor.

That scoreline demoralized the Zimbabweans.

When second half started, they embraced defense, protecting their goal so the scoreline would not turn more embarrassing. And since they were already winning, the Egyptian coach did not push too hard.

In the 60th minute of the game, he took out his star player, Mohamed Salah, giving opportunities to younger players to show their talent.

45 minutes of bullying later, the game finally came to an end.

No goal entered in the 2nd half, leaving the game to end 3-0.

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Mohamed Salah won the man of the match award with his brace.

At the end of the 2nd day of the tournament, alongside Morocco, Egypt proved their credentials as one of the favorites of the 2025 AFCON tournament.

And then came 23rd.

Unlike the previous 2 days, 4 games were played on the 23rd; clashes between Senegal and Botswana, Tunisia and Uganda, DR Congo and Benin, and then the clash between Nigeria and Tanzania.

It was finally the D-day for the Nigerians.

But before them, Senegal lined up on the pitch in one of the stadiums against Botswana first. Senegal were one of the favorites this time too.

Led by a core of Ismaila Sarr and Diallo in attack, a core of Idrissa Gueye and Sarr in midfield, a core led by Kalidou Koulibaly in defense, and Edouard Mendy in between the posts, the ex-Chelsea goalkeeper, Senegal was a formidable side.

They also had a legend on the bench in Sadio Mane.

As soon as the game started, Senegal ran rampant, running rings around the Botswana defense as they played in a familiar 3-4-3 formation.

With Edouard Mendy starting the build-up from the back, Senegal played a perfect game, blowing Botswana aside with a convincing 5-1 display.

Ismaila Sarr got a brace and assist, Idrissa Gueye got a goal and assist, Camara got a goal, and then the last goal was scored by the legend who was introduced later in the game, Sadio Mane.

Botswana scored a consolation goal later on but it didn't matter, Senegal already won the game convincingly.

The game between Tunisia and Uganda was much more serious and intense. After a grueling battle on the pitch, Tunisia narrowly won with a 2-1 scoreline.

DR Congo vs Benin Republic ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

And then came Nigerian's turn when it was already dark in Morocco.

Eric Chelle's troops finally lined up for their first battle of the 2025 AFCON, under the bright spotlights in Morocco.

Eric Chelle started with his strongest starting XI.

Nigeria's starting XI was arranged in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Stanley Nwabali in between the posts as the goalkeeper, and a defensive quadruple of Osayi-Samuel, Calvin bassey, Ajayi, and Ola Aina ahead of him.

Further ahead of him was the duo of Onyedika and Wilfried Ndidi in midfield, and then the trio of Ademola Lookman in left wing, Alex Iwobi in right wing, and Sam playing as the attacking midfielder.

Sam was back in attacking midfield to accommodate another player up front, Victor Osimhen who started as the striker.

Afterall, attacking midfield was still his preferred position on the pitch.

As for their opponents, Tanzania started in the same 4-2-3-1 formation with Salim in between the posts and the quadruple of Mohamed, Hamad, Nondo, and Mwaikenda ahead of him in defense.

Further ahead was the midfield duo of Mkami and Yahya, while further ahead was the trio of Msuva, Salum, and Mzize.

Shentembo started as their striker.

Contrasted against the Nigerian team of big names, it was clear that this Tanzanian team was full of unknowns.

But it didn't matter because as soon as the referee's whistle sounded, they were equals on the field of play.

FWEEE!