AFCON 2025: Premier League Stars, Fixtures & How to Watch

Senegal Advances to Afcon Semi-Finals with Victory Over Mali

Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye scored the only goal of the match as Senegal defeated 10-man Mali 1-0 on Friday, securing a place in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) for the third time in the last four tournaments. The win came in a tense quarter-final clash against their west African neighbours.

Ndiaye opened the scoring after just 27 minutes, capitalizing on a critical error by Mali's goalkeeper. The goal came from a well-executed move, with Ndiaye starting the play by running down the right wing before passing to Krepin Diatta, who squared the ball into the penalty area. Mali's goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra, attempted to cut off the shot but the ball slipped from his grasp and squeezed under his body. Ndiaye was quick to react, finishing from close range.

Mali were reduced to 10 men in the second half after captain Yves Bissouma was sent off for a second caution on the stroke of half-time. Bissouma had been booked earlier in the 25th minute for a clumsy challenge and was dismissed after committing a needless foul on Idrissa Gana Gueye of Everton. Despite being a man down, Mali had previously managed to advance to the next round against Tunisia through penalties, but they struggled to find a way back into the game this time.

Morocco Secures Semi-Final Spot with Win Over Cameroon

In another quarter-final match, Brahim Diaz continued his impressive run at the tournament by scoring for the fifth consecutive game as hosts Morocco defeated Cameroon 2-0. This victory kept Morocco's hopes alive for their first continental title in 50 years.

Ismael Saibari also found the net in what was a workmanlike performance from Morocco. Although they created few chances, they were efficient enough, scoring from two of their three shots on target. Cameroon had a strong case for a penalty in the second half after a foul on Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo, but they failed to force goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into a save during the 90 minutes.

Afcon Fixtures and Results

Here are some key matches and results from the Africa Cup of Nations:

Sunday, December 21

• Morocco 2 Comoros 0

Monday, December 22

• Mali 1 Zambia 1
• Egypt 2 Zimbabwe 1
• South Africa 2 Angola 1

Tuesday, December 23

• Nigeria 2 Tanzania 1
• Tunisia 3 Uganda 1
• Senegal 3 Botswana 0
• Democratic Republic of Congo 1 Benin 0

Wednesday, December 24

• Algeria 3 Sudan 0
• Burkina Faso 2 Equatorial Guinea 1
• Ivory Coast 1 Mozambique 0
• Cameroon 1 Gabon 0

Friday, December 26

• Egypt 1 South Africa 0
• Angola 1 Zimbabwe 1
• Zambia 0 Comoros 0
• Morocco 1 Mali 1

Saturday, December 27

• Benin 1 Botswana 0
• Senegal 1 DR Congo 1
• Uganda 1 Tanzania 1
• Nigeria 3 Tunisia 2

Sunday, December 28

• Gabon 2 Mozambique 3
• Equatorial Guinea 0 Sudan 1
• Algeria 1 Burkina Faso 0
• Ivory Coast 1 Cameroon 1

Monday, December 29

• Angola 0 Egypt 0
• Zimbabwe 2 South Africa 3
• Comoros 0 Mali 0
• Zambia 0 Morocco 3

Tuesday, December 30

• Tanzania 1 Tunisia 1
• Uganda 1 Nigeria 3
• Benin 0 Senegal 3
• Botswana 0 DR Congo 3

Wednesday, December 31

• Equatorial Guinea 1 Algeria 3
• Sudan 0 Burkina Faso 2
• Gabon 2 Ivory Coast 3
• Mozambique 1 Cameroon 2

Saturday, January 3

• Round of 16:
• Senegal 3 Sudan 1
• Mali 1 Tunisia 1

Sunday, January 4

• Round of 16:
• Morocco 1 Tanzania 0
• South Africa 1 Cameroon 2

Monday, January 5

• Round of 16:
• Egypt 3 Benin 1
• Nigeria 4 Mozambique 0

Tuesday, January 6

• Round of 16:
• Algeria 1 DR Congo 0
• Ivory Coast 3 Burkina Faso 0

Friday, January 9

• Quarter-final:
• Mali 0 Senegal 1
• Cameroon 0 Morocco 2

Saturday, January 10

• Quarter-final:
• Algeria vs Nigeria, 4pm
• Egypt vs Ivory Coast, 7pm

Wednesday, January 14

• Semi-final:
• Senegal vs TBC, 5pm
• TBC vs Morocco, 8pm

Saturday, January 17

• Third-place final:
• TBC vs TBC, 4pm

Sunday, January 18

• Final:
• TBC vs TBC, 7pm

How to Watch Matches

All matches are available to watch in the UK on Channel 4, 4seven, All 4, or the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel.

Premier League Players at Afcon

Several Premier League players have represented their countries at Afcon, including:

• Mohamed Salah (Egypt): The Egyptian star joined the squad after a difficult period with Liverpool.
• Omar Marmoush (Egypt): Struggled for playing time due to injury but is expected to perform well at the tournament.
• Yoane Wissa (DR Congo): Left out of the squad, which may be a relief for Newcastle United fans.
• Antoine Semenyo (Ghana): Did not qualify, allowing Bournemouth to retain its top scorer.
• Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco): All joined their respective national teams.

Other notable names include:

• Carlos Baleba (Cameroon): The only Brighton player to feature in every game this season.
• Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique): Left out of the squad, but will play in the opening match.
• Lyle Foster (South Africa): Traveled with the team, leaving Burnley behind.
• Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia): Represented his country despite being part of the Tunisian squad.
• Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria): All joined the Nigerian squad.

Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye are among six Senegalese players in the Premier League, with the squad also featuring ex-Premier League stars like Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly.