Afcon 2025 feature: Group B — Royalty, rhythm, and resilient challengers

Group B gathers Egypt, South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe — a balanced mix of record champions, tactically disciplined contenders, and fearless spoilers. Fixtures begin on December 22 at Grand Stade de Marrakech, setting a tone of tight margins and high emotion as two former champions square off against two ambitious disruptors.

The draw itself promised “fierce battles,” and the composition backs it up: Egypt and South Africa set the benchmark, while Angola and Zimbabwe arrive ready to unsettle the order.

Egypt — Pharaohs in pursuit of permanence

Egypt enter every Afcon with the weight of legacy and the expectation of control. Their identity is defined by tournament craft: measured tempo, structure, and ruthless exploitation of moments. In Group B, the Pharaohs aim to assert authority early, turning disciplined phases into scoreboard pressure.

- Afcon pedigree: Record seven titles; continental standard-setters

Fixtures: Dec 22 v Zimbabwe, Agadir (1700), 26 v South Africa, Agadir (1700), 29 v Angola, Agadir (1930)

Qualifying: Group C winners

Results: Botswana 1-1 home 4-0 away, Mauritania 2-0 1-0, Cape Verde 3-0 1-1

Leading scorer: 4 - Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan

Captain: Mohamed Salah, forward

Coach: Hossam Hassan (EGY)

Rankings: 3 Africa, 34 world

Previous appearances: 26

Best placing: Champions 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010

Most goals scored: Nigeria 6-3 (1963)

Most goals conceded: Ethiopia 2-4 (1962), Guinea 2-4 (1976)

---- NIGERIA ONLY ----

Popular name: Pharaohs

South Africa — Bafana Bafana’s tactical clarity

South Africa bring organisation and repeatability. Their strength lies in compact spacing, smart pressing triggers, and transitions that punish loose structure. Opening the group against Angola gives them a platform to set rhythm and command the narrative from day one.

- Afcon pedigree: Champions in 1996; consistent finalists

Fixtures: Dec 22 v Angola, Marrakesh (1930), 26 v Egypt, Agadir (1700), Dec 29 v Zimbabwe, Marrakesh (1930)

Qualifying: Group K winners

Results: Uganda 2-2 home 2-0 away, Congo Brazzaville 5-0 1-1, South Sudan 3-0 3-2

Leading scorer: 3 - Teboho Mokoena

Captain: Ronwen Williams, goalkeeper

Coach: Hugo Broos (BEL)

Rankings: 11 Africa, 61 world

Previous appearances: 11

Best placing: Champions 1996

Most goals scored: Namibia 4-1 (1998), Namibia 4-0 (2024)

Most goals conceded: Nigeria 0-4 (2004)

Popular name: Bafana Bafana (The Boys)

Angola — Palancas Negras with poised threat

Angola thrive in games of patience. They absorb, frustrate, and strike through well-rehearsed patterns and counters from wide overloads. Against favourites, their tactical restraint turns into disruptive leverage — ideal for shock results in a tense group.

- Afcon profile: Multiple appearances; quarterfinal ceiling in past cycles

Fixtures: Dec 22 v South Africa, Marrakesh (1930), Dec 26 v Zimbabwe, Marrakesh (1930), Dec 29 v Egypt, Agadir (1930)

Qualifying: Group F winners

Results: Sudan 2-1 home 0-0 away, Niger 2-0 1-0, Ghana 1-1 1-0

Leading scorers: 2 - Mabululu, Milson, Zini

Captain: Fredy, midfielder

Coach: Patrice Beaumelle (FRA)

Rankings: 18 Africa, 89 world

Previous appearances: 9

Best placing: Quarterfinalists 2008, 2010, 2024

Most goals scored: Mali 4-4 (2010)

Most goals conceded: Ivory Coast 2-5 (1998)

Popular name: Black Sable Antelopes

Zimbabwe — Warriors built for the fight

Zimbabwe arrive with edge and energy. Their route to points is forged in duels, second balls, and emotional momentum that swings matches. In balanced fixtures, their willingness to suffer and sprint can tilt the final 20 minutes.

- Afcon profile: Battle-tested finalists; aiming for consistency in outcomes

Fixtures: Dec 22 v Egypt, Agadir (1700), 26 v Angola, Marrakesh (1930), 29 v South Africa, Marrakesh (1930)

Qualifying: Group J runners-up

Results: Cameroon 0-0 home 1-2 away, Kenya 1-1 0-0, Namibia 3-1 1-0

Leading scorer: 2 - Walter Musona

Captain: Marshall Munetsi, midfielder

Coach: Mario Marinica (ROM)

Rankings: 36 Africa, 129 worl

Previous appearances: 5

Best placing: Never qualified for second round

Most goals scored: Cameroon 3-5 (2004)

Most goals conceded: Cameroon 3-5 (2004)

Popular name: Warriors

Group dynamics and stakes

- Favourites: Egypt and South Africa — pedigree, structure, and big-match durability.

- Wild cards: Angola and Zimbabwe — disciplined schemes, emotional intensity, and transitional danger.

Group B is a study in control versus disruption. Egypt and South Africa will try to script the tournament’s tempo; Angola and Zimbabwe will look to tear up the script in moments that matter. Expect tight margins, tactical patience, and the kind of decisive flashes that define Afcon folklore.