Egypt at AFCON 2025: Lead, Legacy, and the Leap Beyond the Group

Overview

The Egyptian national team often carries an unsettled fate whenever it finishes the Africa Cup of Nations group stage at the summit of its group. They currently lead Group 2 at AFCON 2025 in Morocco with seven points, having beaten Zimbabwe 2-1, defeated South Africa 1-0, and drawn with Angola 0-0.

Historically, when Egypt tops their AFCON group, the path splits: either an early knockout exit or a long run that carries them to the final. They aim to reach the final again, having finished first in the group for the twelfth time in their continental history, in the current Morocco edition that runs through January 18.

Historical context

The competition format has evolved since 1957, moving from a simple group stage into knockout rounds from 1963, a design that has shaped Egypt's journey over the years. In eleven previous campaigns when the Pharaohs topped their groups, the road was not uniform: six times the journey ended early at the first knockout round, in semi finals of 1970, 1974 and 1984, or in the quarterfinals in 1994 and 2000, plus a Round of 16 exit in 2019.

Conversely, Egypt reached the final five times after topping the group, in 1986, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2017, lifting the title four times and finishing as runners-up in 2017 after a 1-2 defeat to Cameroon. The road ahead, as always, promises drama.

Punchline 1: If Egypt’s group phase were a sniper’s drill, one precise strike would usually be followed by a dramatic pause—because the scoreboard loves suspense as much as it loves goals.

Punchline 2: And if drama paid salaries, these Pharaohs would be millionaires by halftime. Stay tuned for the next act.