The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has kicked off with not just thrilling football, but also an unexpected soothsayer stealing headlines. A mysterious cat, now famously branded 'Oracle Whiskers', has predicted the outcomes of several key group stage matches, including the highly anticipated South Africa vs Angola clash in Group B.
The Feline Forecast for Key AFCON Fixtures
Ahead of the Monday, December 22 fixtures, the cat's predictions were captured in a unique setup. For each match, three bowls were placed before the feline, labelled with the two competing teams and a 'Draw' option. In the prediction for the Bafana Bafana of South Africa versus Angola at the Marrakesh Stadium, the cat walked straight to the middle bowl and fed from the one labelled 'draw', forecasting a stalemate in this crucial Group B opener.
This encounter marks the fifth meeting between the two nations at the AFCON finals, continuing a long-standing rivalry. The group, which also includes record champions Egypt and Zimbabwe, is widely considered one of the tournament's toughest.
More Predictions from the Purring Prophet
The cat's prognostications did not stop there. In another setup for the Mali versus Zambia match, the feline headed directly to the bowl labelled 'Mali', predicting victory for the Eagles. For the other Group B fixture between Egypt and Zimbabwe, the cat initially approached the 'Zimbabwe' bowl but then changed its mind, moving to feed from the 'Egypt' bowl instead.
This is not the first foray into sports prediction for this cat, known online as Nimbus Pronos. It reportedly correctly predicted the winner of the FIFA Club World Cup final last summer, adding credibility to its unexpected AFCON forecasts.
Tournament Favourites and Opening Festivities
Beyond the feline forecasts, the host nation, Morocco, enters the tournament as the top favourite. According to Opta's supercomputer, the Atlas Lions have a 19.1% chance of lifting the trophy on home soil. Led by African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi, the team has been a continental powerhouse since their historic semi-final run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Record seven-time winners Egypt are also in contention, with a 12.4% chance of claiming an eighth title, their first since 2010. The tournament's opening was electrified by Nigerian music superstar Davido, who performed at the official kick-off concert in Rabat on Saturday, December 20, thrilling fans with an energetic set.
As the group stages unfold, all eyes will be on Marrakesh to see if the on-pitch results align with the mysterious predictions of Oracle Whiskers, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.
