Afcon 2025 Feature: Group E – tradition meets ambition

Algeria and Burkina Faso enter as favourites in Group E, Equatorial Guinea lurk as a dangerous outsider, while Sudan seek to rekindle past glory.

This group promises tactical battles, emotional narratives and the kind of unpredictability that defines African football.

ALGERIA – The Fennecs’ Redemption Quest

- AFCON Pedigree: Winners in 1990 and 2019

- Finals Appearances: 21st

Algeria arrive with a point to prove. After mixed recent campaigns, the Fennecs are determined to reassert themselves as continental giants. Their technical flair, European-based stars and tactical discipline make them the group’s benchmark.

Fixtures: Dec 24 v Sudan, Rabat (1500), 28 v Burkina Faso, Rabat (1730), 31 v Equatorial Guinea, Rabat (1600)

Qualifying: Group E winners

Results: Equatorial Guinea 2-0 home 0-0 away, Togo 5-1 1-0, Liberia 5-1 3-0

Leading scorer: 4 - Amine Gouiri

Captain: Riyad Mahrez, midfielder

Coach: Vladimir Petkovic (BIH)

Rankings: 4 Africa, 35 world

Previous appearances: 20

Best placing: Champions 1990, 2019

Most goals scored: Nigeria 5-1 (1990)

Most goals conceded: Egypt 0-4 (2010)

Popular name: Desert Foxes

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BURKINA FASO – The Stallions’ Charge

- AFCON Pedigree: Runners-up in 2013

- Finals Appearances: 14th

Burkina Faso have built a reputation as resilient contenders. Known for their athleticism and unity, the Stallions consistently punch above their weight. Group E offers them another chance to gallop into the knockout rounds, with eyes set on a deep run.

Fixtures: Dec 24 v Equatorial Guinea, Casablanca (1230), 28 v Algeria, Rabat (1730), 31 v Sudan, Casablanca (1600)

Qualifying: Group L runners-up

Results: Senegal 0-1 home 1-1 away, Burundi 4-1 2-0, Malawi 3-1 0-3

Leading scorers: 2 - Dango Ouattara, Lassina Traore

Captain: Bertrand Traore, forward

Coach: Brama Traore (BUR)

Rankings: 12 Africa, 62 world

Previous appearances: 13

Best placing: Runners-up 2013

Most goals scored: DR Congo 4-4 (1998), Ethiopia 4-0 (2013)

Most goals conceded: Zambia 1-5 (1996)

Popular name: The Stallions

EQUATORIAL GUINEA – The Dark Horses

- AFCON Pedigree: Fourth place in 2015

- Finals Appearances: 5th

Equatorial Guinea thrive on defying expectations. Their spirited performances in recent tournaments have made them a team no one can underestimate. Compact defensively and opportunistic in attack, they could easily disrupt the established order in Group E.

Fixtures: Dec 24 v Burkina Faso, Casablanca (1230), 28 v Sudan, Casablanca (1500), 31 v Algeria, Rabat (1600)

Qualifying: Group E runners-up

Results: Algeria 0-0 home 0-2 away, Togo 2-2 0-3, Liberia 1-0 2-1

Leading scorer: 2 - Luis Nlavo

Captain: Emilio Nsue, forward

Coach: Juan Micha (GEQ)

Rankings: 21 Africa, 97 world

Previous appearances: 4

Best placing: Semifinals 2015

Most goals scored: Guinea-Bissau 4-2, Ivory Coast 4-0 (both 2024)

Most goals conceded: Ivory Coast 0-3 (2012), Ghana 0-3 (2015), Senegal 1-3 (2022)

Popular name: National Thunder

SUDAN – Nostalgia and Hope

- AFCON Pedigree: Winners in 1970

- Finals Appearances: 10th

Sudan carry the weight of history. Once continental champions, they now seek to recapture relevance. Their squad may lack star power, but their passion and pride ensure they’ll fight for every point. Group E is their chance to surprise Africa once again.

Fixtures: Dec 24 v Algeria, Rabat (1500), 28 v Equatorial Guinea, Casablanca (1500), 31 v Burkina Faso, Casablanca (1600)

Qualifying: Group F runners-up

Results: Angola 0-0 home 1-2 away, Niger 1-0 0-4, Ghana 2-0 0-0

Captain: Bakhit Khamis, defender

Coach: Kwesi Appiah (GHA)

Rankings: 31 Africa, 118 world

Previous appearances: 9

Best placing: Champions 1970

Most goals scored: Nigeria 4-0 (1963)

Most goals conceded: Congo Brazzaville 2-4 (1972)

Popular name: Nile Crocodiles

GROUP DYNAMICS

- Favourites: Algeria and Burkina Faso, with pedigree and consistency.

- Wild Card: Equatorial Guinea, capable of upsetting giants.

- Underdog: Sudan, driven by history and heart.

Group E is a clash of tradition and ambition. Algeria’s redemption, Burkina Faso’s resilience, Equatorial Guinea’s unpredictability and Sudan’s nostalgia combine to create one of the most intriguing pools of AFCON 2025.

Group E embodies the essence of AFCON: giants seeking glory, challengers chasing respect and underdogs dreaming of miracles.

Every fixture is layered with history and possibility, ensuring fans will witness drama, passion and unforgettable football.