AFCON 2025: Egypt chase elusive eighth star

Egypt are set to begin a new adventure at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with eyes fixed on finally securing an eighth continental title that has proved stubbornly out of reach.

The tournament kicks off today, 21 December 2025 and runs until 18 January 2026, adding to the sense of a long, demanding journey. Egypt have been drawn in Group B alongside Angola, South Africa and Zimbabwe, a mix that promises early tests of character and consistency.

The Pharaohs’ rich history in the competition includes 10 final appearances and 7 titles, yet the gaps between trophies tell a story of struggle as well as glory.

The wait between the second and third titles stretched 27 years over 12 editions, three of which Egypt did not even reach, underlining how hard it can be to stay at the top in African football. Subsequent intervals varied, 12 years between the third and fourth crowns, then 8 years to the fifth, before a golden era brought three consecutive triumphs from the fifth to the seventh titles.

Since that last success, 15 years have passed and two serious attempts at ending the drought have fallen just short, with Egypt losing one final and exiting once in the round of 16. The team also missed three editions entirely between 2010 and 2017, before returning to reach two finals and suffer two early knockouts between 2017 and 2024.

Now, the campaign begins on Monday night against Zimbabwe, and the question hanging over the squad and fans alike is whether this edition in Morocco can finally reopen the door to African glory.