AFCON
AFCON 2025 Kicks Off as Hosts Morocco Face Comoros in Historic Opener
By Kunle Solaja.
The curtain rises today on the 35th Africa Cup of Nations as hosts Morocco take on Comoros in the opening match of Africa’s biggest football spectacle.
The tournament, holding in Morocco for the second time, begins amid continental excitement and global attention, with the hosts aiming to convert years of heavy investment and recent global success into a long-awaited AFCON title on home soil.
A Nation Ready for the Moment
Kick-off at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat marks more than the start of a competition — it signals Morocco’s return to centre stage as a major football nation.
Becoming the first African and Arab country to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Atlas Lions arrive as one of the tournament favourites, carrying the hopes of a passionate home crowd.
Under coach Walid Regragui, Morocco boast a balanced squad blending European-honed stars with homegrown talent shaped by long-term structural planning. For the hosts, today’s opener is about setting the tone — asserting authority early while managing the pressure that comes with expectation.
Morocco’s Atlas Lions enter the contest as Africa’s top-ranked side, sitting 11th in the FIFA world rankings, the highest-placed nation on the continent. The Comoros, by contrast, are ranked 108th, but their recent AFCON appearances have shown they are no longer mere spectators on the big stage.
Standing in Morocco’s path are Comoros, a team that has rapidly grown in confidence and continental relevance.
Once considered minnows, the island nation has become known for discipline, resilience and the ability to frustrate bigger opponents. Their very presence in the opening match underscores AFCON’s expanding competitiveness.
For Comoros, the clash represents an opportunity to shock Africa, silence a packed stadium and announce themselves once again as fearless disruptors.
The two nations have met four times previously, with Morocco holding the clear edge — three wins and one draw. Their first encounters came during the 2019 AFCON qualifying campaign, when they were drawn together in Group C.
In the first meeting, played in Morocco on 13 October 2018, the Atlas Lions edged a tight contest 1–0. The return fixture just three days later, on 16 October 2018 in Comoros, ended in a 2–2 draw, a result that underlined the islanders’ growing competitiveness. Morocco eventually topped the group, qualifying for Egypt 2019 alongside Cameroon.
The sides also crossed paths at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, meeting in the group stage in Yaoundé on 14 January 2022. On that occasion, Morocco recorded a 2–0 victory, with Selim Amallah opening the scoring in the 16th minute before Zakaria Aboukhlal sealed the result late on.
Beyond the Opening Match
The opening ceremony and match launch a month-long football festival spanning multiple Moroccan cities, with millions of fans expected to follow the action across Africa and beyond. From upgraded stadiums and airports to a carnival-like atmosphere already visible across the country, Morocco has rolled out the red carpet for the continent.
As the first whistle blows tonight, the message will be clear: Africa Cup of Nations 2025 has begun — and the road to continental glory starts now, under the lights of Rabat.
Today’s opener offers Morocco a chance to extend that dominance and make a strong statement as tournament hosts, buoyed by home support and expectations shaped by their recent global success. For Comoros, it is another opportunity to challenge the hierarchy, frustrate a heavyweight opponent and remind Africa that rankings do not always tell the full story.
As the opening ceremony gives way to kick-off at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the 35th AFCON begins with a familiar pairing — and the promise of new chapters in a rivalry that has already delivered drama, resilience and moments of surprise.
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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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