BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Eliminated Libya is reportedly vigorously pursuing its protest against CAF in match forfeiture to Nigeria for an Africa Cup of Nations match day 4 that did not hold.

After holding the Super Eagles and officials hostage in an abandoned airport for 20 hours, the match was cancelled even as the Super Eagles pulled out of the fixture.

The continental football ruling body later awarded the match to Nigeria with three points and three goals.

Libya are taking another route to fight their case after they missed out on qualification.

They are reportedly pursuing a case at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (TAS). A check by Sports Village Square however did not indicate that the case has been listed.

It is not among the 46 cases listed for hearing up till 19 December 2024. The only listed cases involving African litigants are that of Algeria Football Federation versus CAF which is about last season’s Confederation Cup semi-final duel of RS Berkane and USM Alger.

The case is listed as “TAS 2024/A/10528 FAF & Club USM Alger c/ CAF & FRMF & RS Berkane.” 

With the final standings of Group D, Libya will still be eliminated even if the controversial match were awarded to the team and Nigeria will still qualify atop of the group.

Should the points and goals awarded to Nigeria be reversed, the team will remain on top with eight points like Benin and Rwanda, but with a three-goal advantage.

Second-placed Benin with eight points have zero goal difference while Rwanda, also with eight points have a two-goal deficit.

If the match were awarded to Libya, the Mediterranean Knights would have eight points, like others, and a minus one goal difference which will not be enough to threaten any of the two qualified teams.

The countdown to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has officially begun as the North African nation of Morocco prepares to host the continent’s premier football tournament for the second time in its history. 

With the qualifiers over and the 24 teams to play in the competition known, here’s a comprehensive guide to what fans can expect from the 35th edition of this iconic competition.

A Return to Morocco

Morocco last hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1988, a tournament that saw just eight teams compete, with Cameroon emerging victorious after a hard-fought final against Nigeria.

Fast forward to 2025, and the tournament has expanded significantly, with 24 teams set to compete, highlighting the growth and development of African football over the past three decades.

Morocco was confirmed as the host nation on September 27, 2023, a decision that has been met with widespread enthusiasm.

The Atlas Lions, who automatically qualify as the host nation, are eager to showcase their country’s readiness to host a competition of this magnitude, especially after their historic performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

Stadiums and Host Cities

While the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has yet to officially announce the venues, several iconic stadiums are expected to play a central role in the tournament. These include:

• Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca: A likely centerpiece of the tournament, this historic venue hosted the 1988 AFCON final and is expected to be a major venue once again.
• Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat: Another key venue, currently undergoing expansion to increase its capacity.
• Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier: Set to host some of the tournament’s biggest matches, with an expanded capacity to accommodate more fans.
• Adrar Stadium, Agadir: Known for its stunning location and modern facilities, also being expanded ahead of the tournament.
• Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh: A popular venue with fans and likely to see significant action during the tournament.
• Fez Stadium, Fez: A more traditional setting that will add to the diverse experiences offered to fans.

Qualifiers and Teams

While Morocco was the only team currently assured of a place in the tournament as the host nation, the remaining 23 spots was decided through a rigorous qualifying process.

The qualifiers, which kicked off in September 2024 and ending in November 2024, saw 48 nations divided into 12 groups, with the top two teams from each group securing their place in Morocco.

The qualification process was intense, with teams like reigning champions Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and Algeria all vying for a spot.

Most of the giants secured their places while others like Ghana and Guinea could not qualify for the competition.

The 24 countries qualified for AFCON 2025

• Morocco (Hosts)
• Burkina Faso
• Cameroon
• Algeria
• DR Congo
• Senegal
• Egypt
• Angola
• Equatorial Guinea
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Uganda
• South Africa
• Gabon
• Tunisia
• Nigeria
• Zambia
• Mali
• Zimbabwe
• Comoros
• Sudan
• Benin
• Tanzania
• Botswana
• Mozambique

Key Dates

The 2025 AFCON is scheduled to begin on December 21, 2025, and will culminate with the final on January 18, 2026. 

These dates are crucial for fans and teams alike as they prepare for the most prestigious football tournament on the African continent.

Morocco’s Growing Football Reputation

Morocco’s selection as the host for AFCON 2025 is no surprise given the country’s recent track record in successfully hosting major international football events.

From the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) to the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2023, Morocco has consistently demonstrated its capacity to organize and deliver world-class football tournaments.

This track record, combined with the country’s passionate football culture and state-of-the-art infrastructure, sets the stage for what could be one of the most memorable editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Morocco’s Brahim Díaz emerged as the top scorer in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after a hat-trick in his team’s 7-0 demolition of Lesotho on the final matchday.

The 25-year-old forward, who plays for Real Madrid, leapfrogged Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, who had led the charts with six goals after Matchday 5.

Playing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at the Stade d’Honneur d’Oujda, Díaz produced a sensational first-half performance, scoring three goals within 45 minutes.

His efforts propelled Morocco to a flawless qualifying campaign, winning all six Group B matches with a +24 goal difference.

Guirassy, who had scored his sixth goal to secure Guinea’s vital 1-0 win over DR Congo on Matchday 5, failed to find the net in the final round as Guinea faced Tanzania.

This allowed Díaz to overtake him in dramatic fashion, finishing with seven goals.

The race for third place in the scoring charts saw multiple players, including Algeria’s Amine Gouiri, Zambia’s Kingsley Musonda, and Egypt’s Trezeguet, tied with four goals each.

As Morocco prepares to host the tournament, Díaz’s form underscores the Atlas Lions’ attacking prowess, marking them as one of the favourites for the AFCON 2025 title.

Top Scorers:

1. Brahim Díaz (Morocco) – 7 goals
2. Serhou Guirassy (Guinea) – 6 goals
3. Amine Gouiri (Algeria), Kingsley Musonda (Zambia), Trezeguet (Egypt) – 4 goals