AFCON blog: Beb Seghir debut - Tapsobe and Maza score

+++ 26/12: AFCON debut for Ben Seghir in Morocco's 1-1 draw with Mali +++

Morocco defended their lead in Group A with a draw against Mali, even though the hosts missed several opportunities to score the winner. Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) gave Morocco the lead with a penalty (45+5’) before Mali's Lassine Sinayoko (AJ Auxerre) levelled from the spot (64). Eliesse Ben Seghir made his Africa Cup of Nations debut on 82 minutes and he had a chance to make it 2-1 with a free-kick.

In the final group match on 29 December (kick-off: 20:00 CET), another draw against Zambia would be enough for Morocco to progress to the Round of 16. A win would mean they are certain to win the group.

+++ 24/12: Tapsoba scores last-gasp winner for Burkina Faso +++

Burkina Faso were trailing against Equatorial Guinea in the 85th minute, but Georgi Minoungou of the Seattle Sounders levelled in the fifth minute of stoppage time before Edmond Tapsoba, in true "Laterkusen" style, headed in the winner in the 98th.

Tapsoba comes up against Bayer 04 teammate Ibrahim Maza and Algeria on 28 December (kick-off 18:30), before Sudan await on New Year's Eve at 17:00.

+++ 24/12: Maza with debut goal for Algeria +++

The Algerians got off to a flying start with a convincing 3-0 win over Sudan. Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) put the North Africans ahead after just two minutes. Only a minute after Ibrahim Maza came on as a substitute in the 60th minute, Mahrez scored Algeria's second goal. Shortly before the end, it was Maza's big moment: the 20-year-old controlled a knock-down perfectly and secured Algeria's opening victory with his first goal in national colours.

After the next game against Burkina Faso and Edmond Tapsoba on 28 December (kick-off 18:30), Algeria face Equatorial Guinea in their final group match on 31 December at 17:00.

+++ 24/12: Cameroon start with win over Gabon +++

With Christian Kofane - still playing for the Werkself in the 3-1 win over RB Leipzig - in their squad, the Cameroon national team kicked off their tournament against Gabon. They were already celebrating after six minutes: Etta Eyong of Spanish side UD Levante gave them an early lead. Despite less possession, Cameroon put in a disciplined performance against ex-BVB star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Co and held onto their narrow lead to earn an opening three points. Kofane stayed on the bench.

Next up for the Indomitable Lions are AFCON holders Ivory Coast on 28 December (kick-off 21:00), before a meeting with Mozambique on New Year's Eve (20:00).

+++ 21/12: Morocco seal win in opening match +++

After just ten minutes, Morocco could have lived up to their role as favourites in Rabat. But Soufiane Rahimi (Al-Ain FC) missed a penalty. It took till the 55th minute - despite almost 80 per cent possession in the first half - before Real Madrid player Brahim Diaz broke the deadlock at 1-0. With just over a quarter of an hour to play, substitute Ayoub El Kaabi from Leverkusen's upcoming Champions League opponents Olympiakos made it 2-0 with a spectacular overhead kick to double lead and complete the scoring. Werkself player Eliesse Ben Seghir did not feature.

Morocco's next opponents on Boxing Day at 21:00 are Mali, probably their toughest rivals in the battle to win the group. Zambia are also in Group A.

Fixtures at a glance (times CET: