Morocco and DR Congo will aim to secure back-to-back victories in their respective groups as the second round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers continues on Monday. Both sides are eager to maintain a strong position in their respective groups as they prepare for crucial matchups.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco will take on a determined Lesotho team at Agadir’s Stade Adrar.
Morocco, under the guidance of head coach Walid Regragui, are riding high after a commanding 4-1 victory over Gabon in their opening Group B fixture last Friday.
Lesotho, meanwhile, will be looking to rebound after a disappointing 3-1 defeat to the Central African Republic on the same day.
“We approach each match with seriousness and respect for our opponents.
Lesotho may be coming off a loss, but we cannot afford to be complacent.
Every match is a chance to refine our approach and stay sharp,” said Regragui ahead of the clash.
In another significant fixture, DR Congo is set to face Ethiopia in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as part of Group H.
The Leopards started their campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Guinea and will be looking to carry that momentum into their match against an unpredictable Ethiopian side.
Ethiopia, who are known for their ability to surprise even the strongest teams, will be aiming to bounce back after a shaky start to their campaign.
Meanwhile, Senegal, led by Aliou Cissé, will look to improve on their opening 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso as they travel to Malawi for their Group L fixture against Burundi.
Sadio Mané gave Senegal the lead in their previous match, only for Burkina Faso’s Ousseni Bouda to equalize late in the game.
Burundi, full of confidence following their 3-2 triumph over Malawi, will present a formidable challenge for the Lions of Teranga.
Ghana’s Black Stars are hoping to turn the tide after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Angola in Group F.
The Ghanaians will face Niger in Morocco, where they hope to reignite their campaign and secure a vital victory.
Ghana head coach Otto Addo acknowledged the strength of their upcoming opponents, stressing the need for caution.
“We’ve studied them well. Niger is a strong side, and their losses have been very narrow.
We must remain vigilant and be prepared for a tough match,” Addo stated.
Elsewhere, Uganda will seek their first win in Group K as they host Congo-Brazzaville in Kampala.
The Cranes are coming off a dramatic 2-2 draw with South Africa and are eager to claim maximum points in front of their home supporters.
The action-packed Monday also features fixtures between Burundi and Senegal, Equatorial Guinea and Togo, Madagascar and Comoros, as well as Angola against Sudan.
All teams will be looking to establish their credentials in the qualification race as they vie for a spot in the prestigious tournament.
2025 AFCON qualifiers fixtures (Monday, September 9)
Kick-off Times (CAT):
- 15:00 – Burundi v Senegal
- 17:00 – Equatorial Guinea v Togo
- 17:00 – Niger v Ghana
- 18:00 – Madagascar v Comoros
- 18:00 – Uganda v Congo-Brazzaville
- 20:00 – Lesotho v Morocco
- 21:00 – Angola v Sudan
- 21:00 – Ethiopia v DR Congo
With so much at stake, all teams are eager to strengthen their positions and continue their push for qualification to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
