By Kunle Solaja.

Group E of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday, brings together continental heavyweights, seasoned challengers and resilient outsiders. Two-time champions Algeria headline the group alongside Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and former winners Sudan in a section that promises intensity and contrasting styles.

Group E matches will be staged in Rabat and Casablanca, with Algeria opening their campaign against Sudan.

Fixtures (Kick-off times GMT)

• Dec 24 (12:00) – Rabat: Algeria v Sudan
• Dec 24 (14:30) – Casablanca: Burkina Faso v Equatorial Guinea
• Dec 28 (12:00) – Rabat: Algeria v Burkina Faso
• Dec 28 (14:30) – Casablanca: Equatorial Guinea v Sudan
• Dec 31 (17:00) – Rabat: Algeria v Equatorial Guinea
• Dec 31 (17:00) – Casablanca: Burkina Faso v Sudan

Algeria: Proven Winners with a New Direction

Algeria arrive at AFCON 2025 with pedigree and expectation, having won the tournament twice — in 1990 and 2019. Making their 20th appearance at the finals, the Desert Foxes are ranked 35th in the world and qualified convincingly by topping their group ahead of Equatorial Guinea, Togo and Liberia.

Now coached by Bosnian tactician Vladimir Petkovic, Algeria combine experience with emerging talent. The squad features established internationals such as Riyad Mahrez, Baghdad Bounedjah and Ramy Bensebaini, alongside creative midfielders Ismaël Bennacer and Houssem Aouar.

With strength across all departments and depth from Europe’s top leagues, Algeria are widely tipped to control Group E.

Burkina Faso: Perennial Challengers Eyeing a Breakthrough

Burkina Faso return for their 14th Africa Cup of Nations appearance still chasing a first continental title. Their best run came in 2013, when they finished runners-up, and they arrive in Morocco ranked 62nd globally.

Coached by Brama Traoré, the Stallions qualified behind Senegal in a competitive group. Their squad blends defensive resilience with attacking flair, led by Edmond Tapsoba at the back and attacking threats such as Dango Ouattara, Bertrand Traoré and Lassina Traoré.

Burkina Faso’s clash with Algeria in Rabat is expected to be one of the group’s decisive encounters.

Equatorial Guinea: Dark Horses with a Point to Prove

Equatorial Guinea have steadily built a reputation as awkward opponents at AFCON. Making their fifth appearance at the finals, the Nzalang Nacional are ranked 97th in the world and famously reached the semi-finals on home soil in 2015.

Under coach Juan Micha, Equatorial Guinea rely on organisation and midfield experience, with players such as Pedro Obiang and Omar Mascarell providing composure. With forwards like Emilio Nsue and Iban Salvador, they possess the tools to trouble more fancied sides.

Sudan: Former Champions Seeking Revival

Sudan complete Group E as one of the tournament’s more intriguing storylines. Champions in 1970, the Falcons of Jediane are appearing at AFCON for the ninth time and are ranked 118th globally.

Coached by Ghanaian Kwesi Appiah, Sudan qualified ahead of Niger and Ghana in their group, underlining their ability to compete against stronger-ranked teams. Their squad is largely domestically based, built around Al Hilal and Al Merrikh players, with Mohamed Abdelrahman leading the attack.

Sudan will aim to draw on history and collective spirit as they seek a return to prominence.

Group E Outlook

Group E offers a fascinating blend of past glory and present ambition. Algeria’s pedigree makes them favourites, but Burkina Faso’s consistency, Equatorial Guinea’s unpredictability and Sudan’s resilience ensure a tightly contested group.

With matches split between Rabat and Casablanca, Group E promises tactical battles, contrasting philosophies and a compelling fight for progression to the knockout stages.

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Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has confirmed that captain Achraf Hakimi is fit and available for selection ahead of Sunday’s opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 against Comoros.

Speaking on the eve of the Group A encounter at the Moulay Abdellah Complex, Regragui said the Paris Saint-Germain defender had responded well to treatment following an ankle injury sustained in recent weeks.

“Achraf can play,” Regragui told reporters. “His medical protocol has been more than positive, but we also have to think intelligently about managing the squad from the very start of the tournament. He can play, or he can be protected for later on.”

Hakimi, who joined the coach at the pre-match press conference, played down concerns over his fitness and stressed the collective goal. The Paris Saint-Germain right-back said he had worked hard to be ready for the opener.

“I feel ready. I’ve done everything to be here,” Hakimi said. “Whether I play or not, the most important thing is that Morocco wins.”

The Atlas Lions kick off their campaign on Sunday evening with the match scheduled to start at 8:00 pm local time.

As hosts, Morocco are among the favourites for the title and are keen to begin their quest with a strong performance.

Morocco are drawn in Group A alongside Mali, Zambia and Comoros, with the hosts aiming to set the tone early in a tournament where squad depth and player management are expected to play a crucial role.

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Before the first whistle is blown at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco is setting the continental mood with music — and Nigerian global superstar Davido will be at the heart of it.

The Nigerian music icon will take centre stage on Saturday, December 20, when Morocco opens the AFCON festivities with a major concert at the OLM Souissi Fan Zone in Rabat, alongside French Montana and a star-studded cast of African and international artistes.

The concert, scheduled to begin at 18:00 local time, is part of what CAF, TotalEnergies and the Kingdom of Morocco describe as one of the most ambitious entertainment programmes ever staged around the Africa Cup of Nations. It is designed to transform the build-up to AFCON 2025 into a celebration of African culture, creativity and youth — with Davido’s presence providing a strong Nigerian and Afrobeats signature.

Davido, Nigeria’s Cultural Flagbearer

For Nigeria, Davido’s selection as one of the headline performers underlines the country’s cultural influence beyond football. One of Africa’s most recognisable music exports, Davido has played a defining role in taking Afrobeats to the global mainstream.

With acclaimed albums such as A Good Time, A Better Time and Timeless, sold-out world tours and hundreds of millions of streams, Davido has become synonymous with the sound of modern Africa. His honours include multiple MTV Africa Music Awards, BET Awards and Headies, making him a fitting ambassador for African excellence on the eve of the continent’s biggest sporting event.

Organisers say his performance in Rabat symbolises the unity between sport and popular culture that AFCON 2025 hopes to project — a festival where football meets music and identity.

Morocco Sets the Mood

The Rabat concert is positioned as the signature event of AFCON’s opening weekend, coming one day before the tournament officially kicks off. By blending Afrobeats, urban sounds, pop and traditional influences, Morocco aims to showcase its cultural energy before attention turns fully to the pitches.

French Montana, the US-based rapper born in Morocco, will headline the show in what is being described as a symbolic homecoming. Also on the bill are Moroccan star Douaa Lahyaoui, rising act Says’z, and the genre-blending Lartiste, all contributing to a line-up that reflects Africa’s diversity and youthful creativity.

With Davido representing Nigeria on the AFCON opening stage, the message is clear: AFCON 2025 is not only a football tournament but a continental cultural showcase.

As teams fine-tune tactics and fans count down to kick-off, Rabat’s opening concert promises to deliver a different kind of competition — one of rhythm, identity and continental pride — with Nigeria’s Afrobeats heavyweight helping Morocco strike the opening note.

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