With its ticket for the round of 16 of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (CAN) already in its pocket and first place in Group E assured, Algeria had little to fear, Wednesday December 31, from its match against Equatorial Guinea, already eliminated. The opportunity therefore for the coach, Vladimir Petkovic, to rotate his players; he actually made nine changes to his starting lineup.
No Luca Zidane in the cages, nor Riyad Mahrez on the right wing of the attack. No matter, the spectators at the Moulay-Al-Hassan stadium, in Rabat (Morocco), were still treated to a festival in the first period, buoyed by goals from Zineddine Belaid (9e), Farès Chaïbi (25e) and Ibrahim Maza (32e). At the finish, a clear victory: 3-1, the Equatoguinean captain Emilio Nsue having saved the honor of his team in the 52nde minute.
Algeria completes its group stage with a flawless performance for the third time in its history in the continental tournament, after 1990 and 2019. The Fennecs will face the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday January 6 at 5 p.m. in the round of 16.
Burkina Faso waits to know its future opponent
The challenge of this last day of Group E was therefore rather to be found in the other poster, that between Sudan and Burkina Faso. Tied on points at kick-off, the two teams – also already guaranteed to continue their CAN – competed for 2e place, which prevents them from facing Senegal, one of the big favorites, in the next round. And the duel turned to the advantage of the Burkinabés, winners 2-0 thanks to Lassina Traoré (16e) and Arsène Kouassi (85e).
The Falcons of Jediane will meet the formidable Lions of Teranga on Saturday January 3 at 5 p.m. to kick off the round of 16. It is not certain that the situation will be simpler for the Stallions, who will meet Côte d’Ivoire, first in Group F, on Tuesday January 6 at 8 p.m.
Cameroon certainly overthrew Mozambique (2-1) in Agadir, but it finished second in group F, ahead of the wire by Côte d’Ivoire. In this so-called “death” group where the suspense lasted until the end, the Indomitable Lions are ahead of the title holders, victorious at the last minute from Gabon (3-2). Mozambique, third, is also qualified; and Gabon, eliminated.
Cameroon will face South Africa on Sunday January 4 in Rabat, and Mozambique will play for the first time in its history in a CAN round of 16 against a heavyweight from the continent, Nigeria, on Monday in Fez.
