Afcon 2025 LIVE: Zimbabwe v South Africa and Angola v Egypt updates as group stages reach climax | OneFootball

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South Africa will look to seal their place in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage as they take on Zimbabwe in their Group B decider, while Mohamed Salah is in action for group leaders Egypt in their clash with Angola.

Bafana Bafana still have work to do after a Salah penalty proved the difference in their last outing against Egypt, a win which ensured the Pharaohs' place in the round of 16.

Currently on three points, South Africa will need a win against Zimbabwe to guarantee the continuation of their 2025 Afcon journey. But with Zimbabwe going into the match on one point after drawing with Angola, the Warriors could pull off one of the early shocks of the tournament by sending a tournament favourite packing.

Salah’s Egypt will be in action at the same time as the clash in Marrakesh, with the eight-time winners hoping to hold off Angola in their bid to keep top spot.

Why has the Africa Cup of Nations taken place over Christmas?

The Africa Cup of Nations kicked off in Morocco on Sunday 21 December, with the final at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat to be played on Sunday 18 January - far earlier than when held at this time of the calendar than in previous years.

The 35th edition of the biennial tournament was initially set to be played in July and August 2025, in order to reduce disruption with the European football season.

But the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations is, once again, a talking point - which is unfair to the tournament itself as it becomes squeezed by club football’s endless expansion.

The Africa Cup of Nations was moved to begin in December in order to make room for the expanded Club World Cup, which featured 32 teams for the first time and took place in the United States between June and July earlier this year.

On the other side, the conclusion of the new Champions League league phase in January, which features an additional two matches, forced an earlier start to Afcon and for the tournament to be played over Christmas and the New Year period for the first time.