Angola
Profile
- Nickname: Palancas Negras
- Appearances: 10x
- Last appearance: 2023
- Titles: 0
- FIFA Ranking: 187
Angola heads to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with one clear goal: to make history by capturing their first-ever continental title. With a well-balanced squad and a strong mentality, Angola is considered a dangerous dark horse in Morocco.
Qualification
Angola topped a tough qualifying group featuring Ghana, Sudan, and Niger. They went undefeated, with the highlight being an impressive victory over Ghana in Kumasi. It was a strong statement that Angola intends to compete at the highest level.
Coach: Pedro Gonçalves
Since his appointment, Gonçalves has transformed the team through discipline and tactical awareness. He emphasizes balance in play and has instilled confidence in the squad, with the unbeaten qualifying campaign as clear evidence. Gonçalves knows how to get the best out of his players and aims to guide them toward a historic achievement in Morocco.
Key Players
Cristóvão Mabululu: The striker and attacking leader played a key role in qualification with two goals. His sharpness in front of goal will be crucial.
Bastos: The experienced defender is the backbone of the defense, bringing calmness and leadership to the back line.
Previous AFCON performances
Angola has reached the quarterfinals three times: in 2008, 2010, and 2023. While the team often shows promise, reaching the semifinals remains an unfulfilled dream, for now.
Egypt
Profile
- Nickname: The Pharaohs
- Appearances: 27x
- Last appearance: 2023
- Titles: 7 (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010)
- FIFA Ranking: 32
Egypt, record holder with no fewer than seven Africa Cup titles, heads to Morocco with one goal in mind: to wash away the bitter defeats in the 2017 and 2021 finals and restore their status as one of the continent’s top teams.
The last time the Pharaohs celebrated continental glory was in 2010. Since then, they have narrowly missed out on gold several times.
Qualification
Egypt qualified for the final tournament with ease. They remained unbeaten in their group, recording four wins and two draws to finish first in Group C, ahead of Botswana, Mauritania, and Cape Verde.
Coach: Hossam Hassan
58-year-old Hossam Hassan, a legendary former international, is at the helm. He previously managed top clubs like Zamalek, Al-Masry, Ittihad Alexandria, and also served as Jordan’s national coach. He aims to make history by leading Egypt back to the throne of African football.
Key Players
Mohamed Salah: The Liverpool star remains the face of the Egyptian squad. Despite a disappointing tournament in Ivory Coast, Salah continues to be a key asset in their quest for success.
Omar Marmoush: The forward, recently signed by Manchester City, has impressed in the Bundesliga and is emerging as a vital force within the team. Both fans and the nation have high expectations for him in this tournament.
Previous AFCON performances
Egypt is the most successful team in Africa Cup history, with seven titles to their name. They even won three in a row, in 2006, 2008, and 2010, a unique achievement.
Did you know?
In addition to having the most titles and appearances, Egypt also holds the record for the most final appearances (9). They’ve also played and won the most matches in Africa Cup history.
South Africa
Profile
- Nickname: Bafana Bafana
- Appearances: 11x
- Last appearance: 2023
- Titles: 1 (1996)
- FIFA Ranking: 56
South Africa is one of the top-performing teams in recent Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. The team’s resurgence has seen the former African champions reclaim their place among the continent’s elite.
Qualification
South Africa finished top of Group K, which also included Uganda, Congo-Brazzaville, and South Sudan—without a single defeat. They recorded four wins out of six matches, with the remaining two ending in draws. They qualified alongside Uganda.
Coach: Hugo Broos
Despite initial skepticism from the local population, Hugo Broos has proven himself and won the hearts of South Africans. He rebuilt Bafana Bafana by making decisions that were initially unpopular, but ultimately motivated players to give their all for their country. It was a similar story for the now 72-year-old coach when he led Cameroon to continental glory, despite widespread doubt. Broos’ ability to bring out the best in young and inexperienced players was recently recognized at the CAF Awards, where he was shortlisted.
Key Player: Relebohile Mofokeng
The Orlando Pirates forward has emerged as a major revelation for South Africa. His outstanding performances have earned the trust of coach Hugo Broos. Mofokeng is a natural winger who can also operate as a playmaker. At just 20 years old, he continues to shine in the South African league and has proven himself when given opportunities with the national team.
Previous AFCON performances
Since their debut in 1996, Bafana Bafana experienced a downward trajectory. In the following edition in Burkina Faso, they finished as runners-up, and in the 2000 tournament held in Ghana and Nigeria, they secured third place.
After three consecutive podium finishes, South Africa struggled in the Africa Cup of Nations until they delivered an impressive performance in Ivory Coast in 2023. There, they stunned tournament favorites Morocco and ultimately finished in third place.
Did you know?
South Africa’s only Africa Cup of Nations title came on their debut—and on home soil? They won the title with a 2–0 victory over Tunisia.
Zimbabwe
Profile
- Nickname: The Warriors
- Appearances: 6x
- Last appearance: 2021
- Titles: 0
- FIFA Ranking: 116
Qualification
Zimbabwe finished second in Group J behind Cameroon. They remained unbeaten throughout the qualifiers, including a win over Namibia and a 1-1 draw against Kenya. They secured qualification even before their final group match.
Coach: Michael Nees
Nees is known for a modern, structured approach, holding a master’s degree in sports science and experience as a coach and technical advisor for countries like Rwanda and South Africa.
He brought clarity, stability, and a distinct playing style to the team. Opponents, such as Kenya’s coach Engin Firat, praised their solid defense and quick transitions.
Key Players
Khama Billiat: A midfielder and the team’s playmaker. He scored the decisive goal against Namibia, securing a 1-0 win for Zimbabwe.
Tawanda Maswanhise: Zimbabwe’s young talent who scored the goal against Kenya that guaranteed qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Previous AFCON performances
Zimbabwe has shown it can compete at the highest level in Africa, with regular appearances since 2000 and occasional flashes of individual brilliance. However, consistency and finishing have always been lacking, preventing a true breakthrough. The group stage continues to be an impenetrable barrier.