South Africa secured their place in the Round of 16 at the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe in the final round of Group B matches at the Stade de Marrakesh on Monday, December 29.

Oswin Appollis converted a late penalty to seal second place in Group B for Bafana Bafana, knocking out their southern African rivals in a pulsating encounter.

Mali booked their place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a hard-fought but uninspiring goalless draw with Comoros in Casablanca on Monday, December 29.

Both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances, with the match’s first effort on target not arriving until the 42nd minute.

Kamory Doumbia came closest to breaking the deadlock for Mali early in the second half, although the midfielder knew little about it as a fierce strike from Eagles team-mate Nathan Gassama struck his shin and deflected inches wide of the post.

Host nation Morocco cruised to a convincing 3-0 victory over Zambia to seal top spot in Group A at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), welcoming back captain Achraf Hakimi from injury on Monday, December 29.

The Atlas Lions, who held a narrow two-point advantage over second-placed Mali after collecting four points from their opening two matches, started with intent in Rabat. Ayoub El Kaabi opened the scoring in the ninth minute, heading home from a short corner routine.

Brahim Díaz doubled Morocco’s lead midway through the first half, slotting in Abde Ezzalzouli’s low cross from the centre of the box for his third goal of the tournament.

The newly inaugurated Governing Board of the National Sports Authority has set out an ambitious plan to reposition sports as a major contributor to Ghana’s economy, with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to significantly expand the sector’s share of national output at the centre of its policy direction.

Mozambique have claimed a historic first victory in the Africa Cup of Nations, breathing new life into their campaign after overcoming Gabon 3-2 in Agadir, while Algeria have booked their place in the last 16 of AFCON with a narrow win over Burkina Faso.

Beaten in their tournament curtain-raiser by Ivory Coast, Mozambique scored twice before half-time in their Group F game on Sunday as Faizal Bangal headed home and Geny Catamo netted from the penalty spot.

British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has been involved in a car crash on the Ogun–Lagos state expressway in Nigeria.

The 36-year-old, has family roots in Sagamu, a town in Ogun State, south-west Nigeria.

A statement from the Ogun State Police Command in Nigeria, confirms that two people died in the crash, which also injured Anthony Joshua.

The final round of group-stage matches at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 gets under way on Monday, December 29, with qualification still wide open for much of the field and the tournament’s trademark late drama very much in play.

Three teams have already secured their places in the Round of 16 after winning their opening two matches: Egypt, Nigeria and Algeria.

For the rest, the final group fixtures will determine not only who finishes in the top two and qualifies automatically, but also which sides can extend their campaigns through the race for the best third-placed spots.

Monday’s programme sets the tone immediately, with simultaneous kick-offs designed to heighten the tension.

Nigeria survived a dramatic late fightback from Tunisia to become the second team to qualify for the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, holding on for a 3-2 victory in Fes on Saturday, December 27.

Victor Osimhen starred as the Super Eagles followed Egypt into the last 16, weathering intense late pressure from Tunisia in a top-of-the-table Group C clash.

Nigeria appeared to be cruising after racing into a 3-0 lead through goals from Osimhen, captain Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. However, Tunisia refused to surrender, with Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi scoring to set up a tense finale.

Sudan head coach James Kwesi Appiah has declared that his side is targeting nothing less than the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, stressing that the Falcons of Jediane are not at the tournament simply to make up the numbers.

After opening their Group E campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Algeria, Sudan responded in impressive fashion with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, December 28, in Casablanca.

Coach James Kwesi Appiah led Sudan to their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory since 2012, boosting their chances of reaching the knockout stage at the 2025 tournament after an own goal by Saúl Coco handed Equatorial Guinea a second straight defeat in Group E.

The decisive moment came in Casablanca when Coco inadvertently turned a cross past his own goalkeeper, Jesús Owono, with 16 minutes remaining. 

Alhaji Dauda Fuseni has been elected President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), defeating incumbent Bernard Quartey by a wide margin in elections held on Saturday.

Former Newcastle United, Liverpool and England striker Andy Carroll is due to appear in court on Tuesday after he was charged with breaching a non-molestation order.

Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven will not switch allegiance from England to Ghana to play in next summer's World Cup.

The Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee (GBIMC) has taken a stern stance against several high-profile figures in the sport, banning and fining boxer Bastie Samir, veteran referee Roger Barnor, and leading promoter Alex Ntiamoah-Boakye for their roles in an unauthorised boxing event staged during the nationwide suspension of boxing activities.

Veteran Ghanaian sports administrator and goodwill sports ambassador, Ray Quarcoo, has criticised the performance of Burundian referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana following what he described as poor officiating during the Egypt versus South Africa Group match at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.