Overview
- Morocco swept Zambia 3-0 in Rabat, with Ayoub El Kaabi scoring twice and Brahim Díaz adding one, and Achraf Hakimi returning as a second-half substitute to cap first place in Group A.
- Egypt rotated heavily in a 0-0 draw with Angola and still finished top of Group B, leaving Angola third on two points.
- South Africa beat Zimbabwe 3-2 in a chaotic match settled by a VAR-awarded penalty, qualifying as runners-up and eliminating Zimbabwe.
- Algeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 via a Riyadh Mahrez penalty to book a last-16 berth and win Group E, setting up a tie with the Group D runner-up.
- Nigeria had already advanced after a 3-2 win over Tunisia driven by Ademola Lookman’s two assists and a goal, a match that also drew scrutiny of refereeing after a high tackle on Hannibal Mejbri went unpunished.