The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) served up a night of tension and fine margins on Friday, December 26, with penalties, VAR calls and late saves defining a series of crucial group matches across Morocco.
At the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, hosts Morocco were held to a 1-1 draw by Mali in a contest dominated by spot kicks and officiating reviews.
The breakthrough arrived deep into first-half stoppage time when Brahim Diaz stepped up to convert from 12 yards after a VAR check confirmed a handball by Mali defender Nathan Gassama.
Mali refused to be rattled and earned their own penalty shortly after the hour. Lassine Sinayoko was brought down in the area by Jawad El Yamiq, and despite a wall of whistles from the stands, he calmly rolled his effort under goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to restore parity.
The closing stages belonged to Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who produced a sharp save with his legs to deny Youssef En-Nesyri and later reacted quickly to prevent an own goal in stoppage time. The draw keeps Morocco top of Group A on four points, with Mali and Zambia on two, while Comoros remain bottom on one point.
Earlier in the AFCON 2025 group campaign on Friday, Comoros and Zambia played out a goalless draw that left both sides with plenty to ponder. Comoros thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half when Myziane Maolida tapped into an empty net following fine wing play from Rafiki Said.
However, VAR intervened and referee Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall ruled the goal out after spotting a foul in the build-up by Yacine Bourhane.
Comoros went closest again late on when Faiz Selemani headed onto the roof of the net with Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza caught out of position. The result leaves Zambia knowing they likely need a win against Morocco in Rabat, while Comoros face Mali in Casablanca on Monday.
In Group B, Egypt sealed their place in the knockout rounds with a gritty 1-0 win over South Africa, despite finishing the match with ten men. Captain Mohamed Salah once again delivered when it mattered, scoring from the penalty spot just before half-time after VAR confirmed a foul by Khuliso Mudau.
Moments later, Egypt were reduced to ten when Mohamed Hany received a second yellow card for stepping on Teboho Mokoena. South Africa pressed hard in the second half and came agonisingly close late on, but goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy produced a crucial stoppage-time save to preserve the lead.
Egypt now sit top of Group B, with South Africa second on three points. Angola and Zimbabwe remain in the hunt after sharing a 1-1 draw in Marrakech.
Angola struck first through Gelson Dala, who finished clinically in the 24th minute. Zimbabwe responded with resilience and were rewarded just before the break when experienced striker Knowledge Musona pounced from close range in added time.
The second half was fiercely contested, with both sides trading chances and yellow cards as neither could find a winner. The draw gives both teams their first point of the tournament and leaves Group B finely balanced heading into the final round of fixtures at the 2025 AFCON.
