There are only three certainties in life: death, taxes and a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations. However, even by the tournament's extraordinary standards, the final of the 2025 edition was like nothing we've ever seen before - albeit not in a good way. In the 93rd minute of a tense but largely uneventful encounter in Rabat, Senegal had a goal from Ismaila Sarr very harshly disallowed for a perceived foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi beforehand. Just moments later, Morocco were awarded a penalty after an invention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), who had spotted a minor tug on Brahim Diaz's shirt by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Victor Osimhen marred Nigeria's commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique with a shocking display of petulance that stunned spectators. The striker squared up to team-mate Ademola Lookman mid-game before demanding to be subbed off and storming onto the team bus alone, leaving his colleagues to celebrate reaching the Africa Cup Of Nations quarter-finals without him.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stages ended on a high note with heavyweights taking the centre stage in the North African country of Morocco. In the four games that were played, 14 goals were scored, with the defending champions, The Elephants, scoring the most as they finished top in their pool.
South Africa discovered their opponents following the last round of group stage matches on Wednesday. The 1996 African champions will battle it out with the Indomitable Lions this weekend, with a spot in the quarter-finals at stake.
Mozambique
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