AFCON
Morocco readies for CAF AFCON return after 36-year hiatus
As the draw for the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 approaches, the North African nation is gearing up to host the continent’s premier football tournament for the second time in its history.
Morocco’s previous hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) dates back to 1988, a 36-year gap that has seen significant developments in the country’s footballing infrastructure and global standing.
The 1988 tournament, won by Cameroon, featured just eight teams. In contrast, the 2025 edition will welcome 24 nations, reflecting the growth of African football and presenting a greater logistical challenge for the hosts.
But North African nation’s recent experience in hosting major football events stands it in good stead, solidifying its reputation as a premier host for major football events.
The country successfully hosted the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN), an exclusive tournament for players active in their national leagues. The triumph in this tournament highlighted both their on-field prowess and their capacity to host major events.
It also staged the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which saw record-breaking attendances and was widely praised for its organisation.
In February 2023, Morocco hosted the FIFA Club World Cup, further cementing its reputation as a reliable venue for international football competitions.
The tournament’s success, coupled with Morocco’s historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, has fuelled football fever in the country.
Key cities tipped by many to host matches in 2025 include Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and Tangier. The iconic Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, which hosted the 1988 final, is tipped my many to play a central role once again.
The state-of-the-art facilities, coupled with Morocco’s robust infrastructure, ensure that the tournament will be held to the highest standards.
Morocco’s hosting of AFCON 2025 will further establish the country as a footballing powerhouse both on and off the pitch. The nation’s successful bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, jointly with Spain and Portugal, further underlines these ambitions.
As the qualifiers draw approaches, excitement is building not just for the tournament itself, but for what it represents: Morocco’s return to the AFCON hosting stage.
With state-of-the-art stadiums, a football-mad population, and recent experience in hosting major tournaments, Morocco is poised to deliver an AFCON that could set new standards for the competition.
The upcoming draw, set to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday, 04 July 2024, will see 48 nations divided into 12 groups, setting the stage for the qualifiers.
With teams like reigning champions Cote d’Ivoire, and African giants Egypt, Nigeria, and Senegal, Algeria in the mix, the competition promises to be fierce.
As 48 nations await their fate in the qualifying draw, the journey to Morocco 2025 is about to begin, promising another thrilling chapter in African football history.
-CAF
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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