The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) commences this Sunday in Morocco, shifting focus from pre-tournament controversies to the highly anticipated action on the pitch. This mid-season tournament brings together Africa’s finest football talent, with host nation Morocco positioned as favorites following their record-breaking streak of 18 consecutive international victories and their historic semi-final appearance in the 2022 World Cup.
Morocco’s quest for only their second AFCON title since 1976 faces significant challenges despite home advantage. The team must manage immense pressure from expectant fans who sold out tickets within hours, while key captain Achraf Hakimi races against time to achieve fitness. Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat emphasized the importance of fan support, stating: “In Africa the most important [thing] is that you play with your heart. The fans can push us a lot.”
The tournament features several compelling storylines beyond the hosts. Egypt’s Mohamed Salah seeks to secure his first AFCON trophy in his fifth attempt, potentially capping his international career amid ongoing speculation about his club future with Liverpool. Defending champions Ivory Coast aim to replicate their remarkable 2024 home success, while Senegal looks to build on their impressive victory against England in June.
Organizational challenges have shadowed the buildup to the tournament. The Confederation of African Football’s scheduling conflict with FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup forced a last-minute change to player release rules, requiring European clubs to release players just seven days before the tournament instead of the standard fourteen. This decision drew sharp criticism from several coaches, with Mali’s Tom Saintfiet calling it “catastrophic” and Comoros coach Stefano Cusin expressing frustration over disrupted preparations.
Despite these challenges, the tournament promises the unpredictability that has characterized recent editions, with seven different winners emerging from the past eight competitions. Cameroon enters the tournament amid internal turmoil after federation president Samuel Eto’o dismissed coach Marc Brys and omitted key players including goalkeeper Andre Onana and striker Vincent Aboubakar. Meanwhile, Algeria features Mohamed Amoura, the top scorer in African World Cup qualifiers, while Nigeria aims to improve upon their 2023 finals performance.
The tournament also highlights inspiring stories of perseverance, with Sudan remarkably qualifying despite playing all matches away from home due to the country’s ongoing civil war. Botswana, Mozambique, and Tanzania all seek their first-ever AFCON victories and progression beyond the group stage.
With twelve former champions in the field and the trophy described as the “holy grail of African football” by Benin assistant coach Tunde Adelakun, Morocco 2025 promises to deliver compelling football drama amidst the backdrop of organizational challenges and high expectations.