AFCON Friday: Sinayoko holds his nerve for Mali and more
After a day off for Christmas, AFCON was back in action with four matches across Groups A & B on Friday -- catch up on the latest with our roundup.
Mali 1-1 Morocco
The biggest match of the day was certainly in Group A, pitting a Morocco side who had been mightily impressive in the 2022 World Cup against a Mali side who narrowly missed qualifying for next year's tournament in the United States, but boasted plenty of Ligue 1 McDonald's representation. Having only drawn in their first match, Les Aigles needed a result against a home team that had been on a 19-match winning run.
With Achraf Hakimi (PSG) only on the bench, only Marseille defender Nayef Aguerd was in the eleven for the Eagles of Carthage from Ligue 1. Mali led with Auxerre's Lassine Sinayoko in attack, with Lens' Mamadou Sangaré and Angers' Ousmane Camara also included. Morocco dominated from the off, and Brahim Diaz would give the hosts the lead with a penalty in first half stoppage time, but Mali were undeterred, holding their nerve as Sinayoko slotted home his own penalty midway through the second, preserving a one-all draw that means it's all to play for in Mali's final match against the Comoros.
🇲🇱 2 matches
⚽ 2 goals
Lassine Sinayoko is having a great AFCON. 💯 pic.twitter.com/Q7lfYCNb8r— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 26, 2025
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
It was a nervy affair for Egypt in Group B -- the Pharaohs had a man sent off on the stroke of halftime before Mohamed Salah converted a penalty in added time. In the second half, Egypt had to battle hard, but preserved the result, with FC Nantes' Mostafa Mohamed remaining an unused substitute.
Angola 1-1 Zimbabwe
Also in Group B, Clinton Mata (Olympique Lyonnais) played ninety minutes for Angola as the kept their hopes of progress alive ahead of their own clash with Egypt on Monday.
Zambia 0-0 Comoros
A Comoros side with several players from the lower divisions in France did well to pick up a draw in Group A, and will face Mali on Monday with a chance to progress on the line.
