AFCON
Morocco name star-studded AFCON squad as Hakimi makes cut, but Diop misses out
Morocco coach Walid Regragui has named a powerful 28-man squad as the Atlas Lions prepare to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on home soil in just ten days.
The squad, unveiled on Thursday, features the country’s biggest stars, led by Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat, and striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
Despite suffering a serious ankle injury recently, Hakimi has been included and is expected to miss the opening matches, but Regragui insisted his leadership is too important to leave out.
Morocco enter the tournament under immense pressure, widely viewed as favourites after a record run of 18 consecutive victories. The home fans expect nothing less than a title—their first since 1976.
Continuity, depth and tactical flexibility
Regragui’s final list reinforces the spine that reached the 2022 World Cup semi-final and has dominated African football for the past two years.
Defensive leaders Romain Saïss and Nayef Aguerd return, joined by rising Rennes centre-back Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, who continues his rapid ascent after debuting in November.
The full-back department remains among the strongest in Africa, with Noussair Mazraoui and Adam Masina complementing Hakimi and young left-back Anass Salah-Eddine.
In midfield, Morocco will rely on a technically gifted and dynamic group including Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismael Saibari, Neil El Aynaoui, Oussama Targhalline, and the experienced Sofyan Amrabat.
The attack features an impressive mix of established finishers and emerging talent.
Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaabi lead the line, supported by creative wide players Soufiane Rahimi, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ilias Akhomach, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Brahim Diaz, who has transformed Morocco’s attacking play since switching allegiance.
Key absences and surprises
One name missing from the main squad is Sofiane Diop, who was involved in November’s fixtures but has been omitted.
Meanwhile, forward Hamza Igamane—one of Morocco’s top scorers in club football this season—has been placed on the reserve list as he continues recovering from a thigh injury.
He is joined by left-back Youssef Belammari, with both players eligible for call-up before the tournament begins.
A tournament Morocco must win
Hosting the tournament has heightened expectations. Regragui, often criticised for his pragmatism, knows that only one outcome will satisfy the public: lifting the trophy in Rabat on January 18.
Morocco, drawn in Group A, will face Comoros, Mali and Zambia as they begin their quest for continental glory.
FULL MOROCCO SQUAD FOR AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers
- Munir El Kajoui
- Yassine Bounou
- El Mehdi Al Harrar
Defenders
- Achraf Hakimi
- Mohamed Chibi
- Jawad El Yamiq
- Romain Saïss
- Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal
- Nayef Aguerd
- Adam Masina
- Noussair Mazraoui
- Anas Salah-Eddine
Midfielders
- Oussama Targhalline
- Sofyan Amrabat
- Ismael Saibari
- Neil El Aynaoui
- Bilal El Khannouss
- Azzedine Ounahi
Forwards
- Brahim Diaz
- Ilias Akhomach
- Chemsdine Talbi
- Youssef En-Nesyri
- Ayoub El Kaabi
- Soufiane Rahimi
- Abdessamad Ezzalzouli
- Eliesse Ben Seghir
Reserve Players
- Youssef Belammari
- Hamza Igamane
-Cafonline
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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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