After months of anticipation, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finally kicks off today in Morocco. Twenty-four teams, six host cities and nine stadiums are ready as a football-mad nation welcomes the continent for Africa’s biggest tournament.
The four-week competition is being billed as a high-profile dress rehearsal for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host. To prepare, the kingdom has embarked on one of the most ambitious infrastructure programmes in African sporting history.
Defending champions Ivory Coast arrive after a scarcely believable title run on home soil last time out, while Nigeria will be aiming to go one step further after falling short in the final.
Senegal, led by Sadio Mané, return after lifting the trophy in 2021, and Egypt will be hoping speculation surrounding Mohamed Salah’s future does not derail their quest for a record-extending eighth continental crown.
Group stage line-up
- Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
- Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
- Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
- Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
- Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
- Group F: Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mozambique
Electric atmosphere in Rabat
In Rabat’s vast fan zone, an opening concert has gradually given way to rising excitement. Despite cold and rainy conditions — unusual for an AFCON tournament — Moroccan supporters are already in full voice.
“Come on, Morocco! This is our Cup!” shouted Abdessamad, wrapped in the national colours. Nearby, fellow fan Mouhad was equally confident: “We hope to win the AFCON, yeah!”
Much of the attention is on star defender Achraf Hakimi. An ankle injury sustained in early November has put his involvement in the opening match in doubt, but the captain insists the squad is ready to handle the pressure.
“This is the responsibility we have,” Hakimi said. “It’s a positive responsibility that motivates us to be ready for this tournament.”
Comoros embrace the underdog role
While Morocco carries the weight of host-nation expectations, the mood in the Comoros camp is more relaxed. The island nation is competing in just its second Africa Cup of Nations.
“We missed the AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. It was sad, but today we’ve proved once again that we have the level to be here,” said forward El Fardou Ben Mohamed. “It’s a source of pride for the entire Comorian people, even though we are a small country.”
The significance of the moment has resonated back home, with Comoros President Azali Assoumani personally visiting the squad — known as the Coelacanths — ahead of their opening match.
They now face the daunting atmosphere of Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where nearly 70,000 fans, most backing the Atlas Lions, will create an intimidating backdrop.
Kick-off time
The opening roar is just hours away. AFCON 2025 gets underway tonight at 8:00 p.m. CAT and CET, officially launching another chapter in Africa’s football history.
