LATE DRAMAS AND BIG MOMENTS: AFCON DAY 2 DELIVERS THRILLS

Day 2 of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 served up all the drama you’d hope for in one of football’s most passionate tournaments with last-gasp winners, tight battles and late-game heroics shaping the early group standings.

Egypt got fans off their seats as captain Mohamed Salah once again proved his knack for big moments. After going a goal down to Zimbabwe early on, the Pharaohs fought back through Omar Marmoush’s 63rd-minute strike before Salah rifled home a stoppage-time winner to seal a 2-1 success in Group B. It’s another clutch showing from the Liverpool star, who’s now scored in five consecutive AFCON tournaments, edging closer to continental scoring legends.

Group A saw drama of its own as Zambia’s Patson Daka denied Mali all three points with a dramatic 92nd-minute header to earn a 1-1 draw in Casablanca. Mali had looked in control after Lassine Sinayoko’s 61st-minute goal but Daka’s late intervention kept his side right in the mix.

Across the tournament groups, the standings are already taking shape with hosts Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia and others also claiming strong results, though some fixtures, like DR Congo vs Benin, stirred controversy due to VAR issues.

With plenty of goals and twists early in this AFCON, teams are jockeying for position and momentum. If Day 2 was anything to go by, we’re in for an unforgettable group stage with more late-game heart-stoppers on the horizon.

Image credit: Sky Sports