Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WILL it be Tawanda Chirewa or Tawanda Maswanhise to illuminate Group B at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco?
Will Egypt’s Mohamed Salah outshine everyone as largely expected?
And who will steal the show? Tebogo Mokoena of South Africa or Angola’s Mabubulu?
These have been some of the questions as Angola, Egypt, South Africa and Zimbabwe vie for Group B honours at the 24-team tournament.
Although the tournament is taking place more than 11 000km away, Zimbabwean football fans are as enthusiastic as their counterparts in Angola, South Africa and Egypt.
Former Zimbabwe captain Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat have been the face of the Warriors at previous AFCON tournaments from 2017, but with Musona now slowing down significantly at 35 years, and the latter having asked to be excused, a new generation of heroes is expected to emerge from new coach Marian “Mario’’ Marinica’s side.
The dice has fallen on namesakes Chirewa and Maswanhise. Chirewa, who plays for English Premiership side Wolverhampton Wanderers made a bold declaration this week that he was ready to step up to the big challenge.
“Playing for Zimbabwe was a big achievement for me. It’s something I hold really dear to my heart,” he said.
Although Chirewa played a bit part in Zimbabwe’s AFCON qualifying journey, he has demonstrated great potential, with three goals in 11 outings.
He has taken national duty personal.
“I know that this is something which is important for my family’s name and I want to be a great player for Zimbabwe, I want to be a legend for Zimbabwe, and this is something which I’m eager to do, and something which I really believe I can do.
“AFCON is a big step in that, and if I can help us to go as far into the tournament as I can, I know that I’ll be one step closer to achieving what I want to achieve for my country,” he said.
His namesake Maswanhise of Motherwell in the Scottish top-flight league is also another prospect.
The 23-year-old has been enjoying top form of late and is currently the joint top scorer in the Scottish Premiership this season with eight goals in 16 appearances.
Of note, Maswanhise has picked up the G4 Claims player of the month for November as well as the William Hill Premiership player of the month for his impressive displays during the month. Zimbabwe have been labelled as Group B’s ‘outsiders’ but they have the capacity to cause upsets on a good say.
For South Africa, midfielder Tebogo Mokoena is expected to hoist the flag, surrounded by equally impressive teammates such as Mbekezeli Mbokazi and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Mokoena has been the key figure in the Bafana Bafana side, comprising mostly locally-based players.
“My background instilled passion and community values. I love playing with instinct, but tactical awareness is key. It’s about knowing when to take risks and when to play safe,” he told the South African media.
Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and captain Williams has embraced the leadership role as the only surviving member of the 2019 AFCON squad and one of the eight returnees from the previous edition in Ivory Coast in 2023.
South Africa reached the semi-final of the AFCON 2023, with Williams’ anchoring their success following an incredible feat of pulling off four saves in the penalty shoot-out against Cape Verde in the quarter-final.
The 33-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper was crowned African Goalkeeper of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards last month.
He has maintained his form both in domestic competitions as well as in national team colours, as Bafana are on a 20-match streak without losing in regular time, a run that has helped them become the most in-form national team in Africa alongside Morocco.
For Egypt, Mohamed Salah arrives at AFCON 2025 as one of Africa’s most accomplished players, despite his recent problems with his English Premiership side Liverpool.
Salah remains a key figure for Egypt, who are record AFCON champions with seven titles under the belt. But they have not won the tournament since 2010, and Salah as well is yet to lay his hands on the crown and this edition presents probably the last chance for the forward. The 33-year-old has contested and lost two previous AFCON finals in 2017 and 2021, and he will hope he can go all the way in Morocco.
The other players to look out for from the Pharaohs include Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed of French Ligue 1 side, Nantes. Egypt have been touted as the group favourites.
Angola, the dark horses of the group, are unpredictable having reached the quarter-finals of the last edition, where they were beaten by Morocco. Much may depend on their attacking duo Mabululu and Zito Luvumbo, who were both in fine form during qualifying campaign.
The stage is set for the stars to shine as Angola open their Group B campaign against South Africa earlier on Mon-day while Zimbabwe face Egypt in the other group encounter later at night.
