The ongoing AFCON 2025 in Morocco is only two days old now but the tournament has already delivered unforgettable moments.
After Morocco comprehensively put aside Comoros in the opening game, Zambia, Mali, Angola, South Africa, Egypt and Zimbabwe headlined day two action, and there was plenty to write home about.
Here is a recap of three major talking points from day two:
Zambia looked out of form and sorts in their group B opener against Mali. Step forward Patson Daka, whose equalising goal in stoppage time rescued Chipolopolo.
Mali missed a flurry of first half chances, including an El Bilal Toure penalty saved by keeper Willard Mwanza. Mwanza produced a display that deserved the man of the match award.
Winger Lassine Sinayoko finally put them into the lead in the 61st minute. Mali looked on course for a comfortable victory. However, Zambia equalised with only their fourth attempt at goal all game.
Daka once again proved the hero for Zambia, having stepped up clutch on several occasions for his national team
It was a frustrating first 60 minutes for Egypt.
Despite an attack that boasted Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, they could not bury the many chances they created.
Zimbabwe looked confident especially in the first half. Despite missing star names like Jordan Zemura, Marshal Munetsi and Khama Billiat, they were playing like a seasoned side.
They took the lead through Prince Dube, set up well by Emmanuel Jalai after pacing down the right flank.
It looked as though Egypt were on course for a disappointing first game of the tournamen. However, Marmoush showed why Manchester City spent 55 million pounds for the former Eintracht Frankfurt Star.
The former Wolfsberg man created a magical goal. He cutting inside from the left before unleashing one into the top corner.
The game seemed headed for a draw until Salah rescued Egypt with a stoppage-time winning goal.
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana got their AFCON 2025 campaign off to a dream start following a 2-1 win over Angola.
It was a clash that was highly expansive and exciting, as both sides took turns to send waves of attack against each other.
Burnley forward Lyle Foster was at the heart of every good thing that flowed South Africa’s way.
For the first goal, he set up his countryman nicely after getting a loose pass under control before it landed onto the feet of the Orlando Pirates man who found the back of the net.
He played a key role in setting up another goal for substitute Tshepang Moremi, although the effort was ruled offside.
Foster dropped deep to link up play before Teboho Mokoena sent a defense-splitting pass onto the path of the Orlando Pirates man, who put it wide, but he was already in an offside position before receiving the ball.
Although Angola equalised from a setpiece situation, which saw celebrated keeper Ronwen Williams surprisingly concede on his near post, Foster himself would emerge the hero of the day.
Foster unleashed an unstoppable shot from outside the box in the 78th minute to give them all the points in the end.
If Day two of AFCON 2025 is anything to go by, it has proven that fine margins, big-game players and decisive moments will define the competition, and the drama is only just beginning.
