Group B at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations features a blend of experience and unpredictability. Egypt, with their seven continental titles, are favourites. South Africa, coming off a bronze medal in 2023 and led by coach Hugo Broos, aims to challenge Egypt. Meanwhile, underdogs Angola and Zimbabwe could surprise with their resilience, making this group highly competitive.
Nickname: The Pharaohs
AFCON History
Egypt is the most successful nation in AFCON history, winning the tournament seven times (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010). They have also been runners-up three times and reached the semi-finals multiple times. Known for their dominance from 2006 to 2010, Egypt is one of Africa’s most respected football nations.
AFCON Record
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shenawy (Al Ahly, Egypt), Ahmed El-Shenawy (Pyramids FC, Egypt), Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly, Egypt), Mohamed Sobhi (Zamalek, Egypt)
Defenders: Rami Rabia (Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates), Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly, Egypt), Yasser Brahim (Al Ahly, Egypt), Khaled Sobhi (Al Masry, Egypt), Ahmed Eid (Al Masry, Egypt), Hossam Abdelmaguid (Zamalek, Egypt), Mohamed Ismail (Zamalek, Egypt), Ahmed Fatouh (Zamalek, Egypt), Mohamed Hamdy (Al Ahly, Egypt)
Midfielders: Marwan Attia (Al Ahly, Egypt), Hamdy Fathi (Al Wakrah, Qatar), Mohanad Lasheen (Pyramids FC, Egypt), Mahmoud Saber (Pyramids FC, Egypt), Mohamed Shehata (Zamalek, Egypt), Emam Ashour (Al Ahly, Egypt), Ahmed Sayed Zizo (Al Ahly, Egypt), Mahmoud Trezeguet (Al Ahly, Egypt), Ibrahim Adel (Al Jazira, United Arab Emirates), Mostafa Fathi (Pyramids FC, Egypt)
Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, England), Omar Marmoush (Manchester City, England), Mostafa Mohamed (FC Nantes, France), Salah Mohsen (Al Masry, Egypt), Osama Faisal (Bank El Ahly, Egypt )
SOUTH AFRICA
Nickname: Bafana Bafana
AFCON History
South Africa have won the Africa Cup of Nations once, lifting the trophy in 1996 on home soil. Their best AFCON run also includes a runners-up finish in 1998 and a third-place finish in 2000. Although they have struggled for consistency in later editions, Bafana Bafana’s 1996 triumph remains the highlight of their AFCON record.
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele, South Africa), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Defenders: Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City, South Africa), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers, England), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Khulamani Ndamane (TS Galaxy, South Africa), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania), Samukele Kabini (Molde, Norway), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)
Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem, Saudi Arabia), Shandre Campbell (Club Bruges, Belgium), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Coach: Hugo Broos
ANGOLA
Nickname: Palancas Negras (Black Sable antelopes)
AFCON History
Goalkeepers: Neblu (Primeiro de Agosto, Angola), Hugo Marques (Petro de Luanda, Angola), Signori Antonio (Etoile Carouge, Switzerland)
Defenders: Rui Modesto (Udinese, Italy), Eddie Afonso (Petro de Luanda, Angola), To Carneiro (FAR Rabat, Morocco), Nurio Fortuna (Volos, Greece), Pedro Bondo (Famalicao, Portugal), David Carmo (Real Oviedo, Spain), Jonathan Buatu (Gil Vicente, Portugal), Kilandola Gaspar (Lecce, Italy), Clinton Mata (Olympique Lyonnais, France)
Midfielders: Beni Mukendi (Guimaraes, Portugal), Show (Kocaelispor, Turkey), Fredy (Bodrumspor, Turkey), Maestro (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Kelliano (Akhmat Grozny, Russia), Mario Balburdia (Boluspor, Turkey)
Forwards: Zito Luvumbo (Cagliari, Italy), Manuel Benson (Swansea City, England), Milson (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Chico Banza (Zamalek SC, Egypt), Gelson Dala (Al-Wakrah, Qatar), Randy Nteka (Rayo Vallecano, Spain), Ary Papel (Al-Akhdar SC, Libya), Mabulu (Al-Ahli Tripoli SC, Libya), Mbala Zola (Pisa, Italy), Zine Salvador (AEK, Greece)
Coach: Patrice Beaumelle
ZIMBABWE
Nickname: The Warriors
AFCON History
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants, South Africa), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi, South Africa), Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC, Zimbabwe)
Defenders: Godknows Murwira (Scottland FC, Zimbabwe), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos FC, Zimbabwe), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen, Denmark), Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata SC, Libya), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora FC, Zimbabwe), Brandon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle, England), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati, USA), Alec Mudimu (Flint Town United, United Kingdom), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa)
Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town, England), Jonah Fabisch (Erzegebirg Aue, Germany), Andrew Rinohmhota (Reading, England), Prosper Padera (SJK Seina Joki, Finland), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Knowledge Musona (Scottland FC, Zimbabwe)
Forwards: Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen, Belgium), Ishmael Wadi (CAPS United, Zimbabwe), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell, Scotland), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants, Zimbabwe ), Prince Dube (Young Africans, Tanzania), Washington Navaya (TelOne, Zimbabwe), Macauley Bonne (Maldon & Tiptree, England), Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy, South Africa), Tadiwanasche Chakuchichi (Scottland FC, Zimbabwe)
Coach: Marian (Mario) Marinica
