AFCON
RedOne, Hatim Ammor, Gims: A Dream Cast for the Morocco 2025 Final Draw
The draw for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 promises to be an unforgettable sporting and musical event on a fitting stage at the magnificent Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat on Monday, 27 January.
In addition to the excitement surrounding the 24 qualified teams learning their pool stage opponents for the 21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026 tournament, the draw will also feature several world-class acts to continue the great tradition of African football and music intertwined.
The star-studded event gets underway at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT | 20h00 Cairo).
Three internationally renowned artists will be in the spotlight to set the evening on fire: Hatim Ammor, Gims and RedOne.
HATIM AMMOR: THE MOROCCAN STAR
Originally from Casablanca, Hatim Ammor is one of the most popular singers in Morocco. With a style that blends traditional Moroccan music with modern sounds, Ammor has won the hearts of millions of fans across the Arab world.
His career has been marked by hits such as “Hasdouna” and “Mchiti Fiha”, which have racked up millions of views on streaming platforms.
Ammor is expected to offer a vibrant performance that will celebrate the cultural richness of Morocco. His stage charisma and powerful voice will make the performance a highlight of the evening.
As an ambassador of Moroccan music, he will perfectly embody the spirit of the AFCON, which brings together diverse nations and cultures on the same pitch.
GIMS: AN INTERNATIONAL ICON
An artist of Congolese origin, Gims is an emblematic figure of French-speaking and international music. Based in France and Morocco, he has established himself as one of the most listened to artists of his generation, thanks to albums such as “Subliminal” and “Ceinture Noire”.
Gims has been able to transcend borders and musical genres. He also performed “Arhbo”, one of the official anthems of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, reinforcing his status as a globally recognised artist.
His participation in the draw for the 2025 AFCON is particularly symbolic, as it highlights the importance of the African diaspora in promoting the culture and unity of the continent.
Gims is set to perform some of his most iconic tracks, offering a unique blend of urban rhythms and African influences.
His presence will bring an international dimension to the event, reaffirming the global influence of the AFCON.
REDONE: THE MAESTRO OF THE EVENING
The third artist is none other than RedOne, a world-renowned Moroccan producer and composer.
RedOne, whose real name is Nadir Khayat, has collaborated with the biggest stars on the planet, including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Nicki Minaj.
His productions, which include hits like “Poker Face” and “On the Floor”, have earned him multiple accolades, including three Grammy Awards.
As the event’s musical director, RedOne will play a pivotal role in the design of the artistic performances. His ability to merge traditional and modern elements promises a unique musical experience.
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Celebration has started in Morocco even before the draw and final competition of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations that the kingdom is hosting.
With the unveiling of the logo on Saturday evening, the citizens went frenzy, especially the adoption of Zellige mosaic art.
The logo depicts the usual AFCON cup, except this year covered in colourful authentic zellige – a form of mosaic art, that pays homage to Morocco’s diversity and cultural uniqueness.
According to CAF, the logo reflects the synergy between tradition and modernity. Each pattern and shape symbolizes the unity of nations, players and fans, echoing how football and art come together to create something extraordinary.
“Just as zellij pieces are meticulously crafted and assembled to form breathtaking designs, every moment in football builds toward a masterpiece of skill, teamwork and triumph”, CAF remarks in an official press release.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
A 72-day ‘Festival of Football’ is in the offing, as Morocco will host three major football tournaments this year and into January 2026.
As an appetiser, the expectation of what to expect when football players, fans and officials converge for the u-17, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the continent’s premier football tournament, will be seen on Monday as the draw for the Africa Cup of Nations is conducted.
This will be held at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat as the 24 AFCON teams will learn the paths they must navigate to the trophy.
After Monday’s draw, there will be a 21-day Africa U-17 tournament from March through April and another 21 days for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in July, followed in December by the Africa Cup of Nations.
In all these, “Morocco is ready as the ultimate football destination in Africa”, Omar Khyari, the advisor to Fouzi Lekjaa, the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) remarked in a message to Sports Village Square.
Starting with the draw ceremony of the 35th AFCON on Monday, Khyari stated that an array of famous Moroccan international artists will add colour to the ceremony.
“It is thrilling and entertaining”, said Khyari. Monday’s draw will not just be about football. “There will be entertainment.
“I can tell you from now that we’ll have, a very famous artist, a Moroccan international famous artist, RedOne.”
He is a three-time Grammy Award winner and holds dual citizenship in Morocco and Sweden. RedOne is his stage name as he was born Nadir Khayat.
He is a record producer, record executive, singer as well as songwriter who has worked in production for high-profile recording artists including Lady Gaga and Jenifer Lopez
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Ranking among Africa’s top six teams in last December’s FIFA Ranking has landed Nigeria in Pot 1 which consists of Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire.
Consequently, the Super Eagles will not be pitched against any of the other teams in Pot 1.
But a potential clash with Nigeria’s new head coach’s country, Mali looms. Mali is on Pot 2 along with at least two other Super Eagles’ tough rivals, Cameroon and South Africa along with Tunisia DR Congo and Burkina Faso.
Nigeria’s new manager, Éric Sékou Chelle famously led Mali to beat Nigeria in a friendly match last year in Morocco.
It was the first time in 50 years that Mali had beaten Nigeria. Before then, the last time they met was at the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria, under coach Stephen Keshi who had previously coached Mali, won 4-1.
Nigeria beat Mali 4-1 in the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations at the Moses Mabhida-Stadium Durban, South Africa. -AFP-photo
Nigeria is destined to face any of those six countries. Pot 3 which also contains six teams harbours Benin Republic with which Nigeria has been having recurring fixtures lately. Both were pitted together in both the 2026 World Cup qualifying series and the preliminary competition that produced the 24 teams of Morocco 2025.
Were it to be the World Cup where teams that had met in the qualifying series are separated, both Nigeria and the Benin Republic will not be in the same final group.
But CAF seems not applying such a principle as happened in Cote d’Ivoire 2023. Both Nigeria and Guinea Bissau were put in the same group despite having been in the same qualifying group.
Should Nigeria and Benin be pitted together, the two neighbouring teams will be meeting five times since last year.
The Pot 4 is the only one in which Nigeria have no special link except with Zimbabwe who are in the same World Cup qualifying group with Nigeria.
The pot contains Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
The Draw Ceremony will take place at the Mohamed V National Theatre in Rabat, on Monday evening.
Three-time African champions Nigeria have been placed in Pot 1, alongside seven-time winners Egypt, three-time champions and Cup holders Cote d’Ivoire, two-time winners Algeria, hosts and 1976 champions Morocco and 2021 winners Senegal.
Pot 1: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire
Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso
Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin Republic
Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana
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