AFCON
AFCON 2025: By CAF’s reckoning, Super Eagles are not AFCON 2025 favourites
Perhaps owing to their epileptic form, the Super Eagles of Nigeria are not rated by CAF among the five teams to watch at the Africa Cup of Nations holding in December and spreading to January 2026.
The Final Draw of the 35th edition of the premier African football competition will be held in Rabat on Monday, 27 January.
As part of the countdown, CAF has named five teams to watch out for.
While three-time champions and runners-up at the last edition, Nigeria are not mentioned, their under-achieving western neighbours, Benin are among the five teams to watch out for as the tournament, returns to Moroccan soil 37 years after the 1988 edition won by Cameroon. Here are the five teams that CAF listed:
Côte d’Ivoire: The Reigning Champions Aim to Prove Their Worth
Fresh from their dramatic victory on home soil earlier this year, the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire have everything to prove in Morocco.
Under the innovative leadership of Emerse Faé, recently crowned CAF Coach of the Year, the team faces the challenge of demonstrating that their triumph was no fluke.
While their AFCON 2025 qualification campaign was far from stellar—finishing second in Group G behind Zambia—the team’s ambition remains undeterred.
Côte d’Ivoire will rely on their young, talented squad and Faé’s strategic brilliance to cement their status as African football heavyweights, despite droppingto 46th in the latest FIFA rankings (sixth in Africa).
Benin: The Cheetahs’ Long-Awaited Return
Benin returns to the AFCON after missing the last two editions, securing qualification by the narrowest of margins.
The Cheetahs finished second in Group D, edging Rwanda on goal difference, and will look to build on their impressive 2019 quarter-final run, which included a stunning elimination of Morocco.
With experienced coach Gernot Rohr at the helm, Benin is poised to reignite its AFCON journey.
Rohr’s tactical expertise and proven leadership bring renewed hope to a team eager to make a lasting impact.
Angola: Breaking New Ground
Angola enters AFCON 2025 with momentum after a stellar qualifying campaign that saw them top Group F, remaining unbeaten against Sudan, Niger, and Ghana.
This performance, coupled with their strong showing at the previous tournament, where they reached the quarter-finals, highlights their growing strength.
Coach Pedro Gonçalves has crafted a resilient team capable of challenging the continent’s best.
Angola, participating in their 10th AFCON, will aim to surpass their historical best of reaching the quarter-finals (2008, 2010, and 2023) and finally break through to the semi-finals.
Morocco: Redemption on Home Soil
Despite reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco fell short at the last AFCON, suffering a surprising Round of 16 exit to South Africa.
However, the Atlas Lions rebounded with a flawless qualification campaign, winning all six of their matches in Group B.
Under coach Walid Regragui, Morocco boasts a squad brimming with talent and experience.
Hosting the tournament offers an additional advantage, as the team seeks to secure their second AFCON title—50 years after their first triumph in 1976.
Tanzania: The Taifa Stars’ Big Opportunity
Tanzania stunned many by outperforming Guinea in Group H to secure their spot at AFCON 2025.
Finishing second behind the DR Congo, the Taifa Stars delivered a standout performance, defeating Guinea home and away in the qualifiers.
With their fourth AFCON appearance on the horizon, coach Hemed ‘Morocco’ Suleiman and his team aim to make history by advancing beyond the group stage for the first time.
Their qualification journey hints at a team capable of delivering more surprises on the grand stage.
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As Morocco gears up to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with the Final Draw scheduled to be held on Monday, 27 January in Rabat, it’s worth revisiting the last time this North African nation welcomed Africa’s premier football tournament.
The 1988 edition marked a pivotal moment in AFCON history, showcasing Morocco’s burgeoning football culture and its ability to host a continental event of such magnitude.
In the late 1980s, Morocco emerged as a strong candidate to host the AFCON. With a football-mad population, growing infrastructure, and a strategic location in North Africa, Morocco was a natural choice.
CAF awarded Morocco hosting rights in recognition of its commitment to the sport and its ability to organize an event that would captivate fans across the continent.
A Compact Tournament: Dates, Teams, and Venues
The 1988 AFCON ran from March 13 to 27, offering an intense two-week showcase of African football talent.
Unlike today’s expanded 24-team format, the tournament featured just eight teams, split into two groups of four.
Matches were played in two host cities: Casablanca, at the iconic Mohammed V Stadium, and Rabat, at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
This compact format ensured that every match carried significant stakes, keeping fans on edge throughout.
Cameroon’s Triumph and the Tournament’s Drama
Cameroon emerged victorious, claiming their second AFCON title after defeating Nigeria 1-0 in a hard-fought final at the Mohammed V Stadium.
Emmanuel Kunde’s penalty secured the victory, capping a brilliant campaign for the Indomitable Lions.
Nigeria, led by the likes of Rashidi Yekini, finished as runners-up, while Algeria clinched third place by defeating hosts Morocco 4-1 in the playoff.
The home team, despite their passionate support, fell short of expectations, finishing fourth.
However, their participation added a layer of excitement and pride for Moroccan fans, who turned up in droves to cheer on their national side.
Stars of the Tournament
The 1988 AFCON was a showcase of individual brilliance. Cameroon’s Roger Milla was named the tournament’s best player, continuing his legacy as one of Africa’s greatest football icons.
Alongside him, Joseph-Antoine Bell, also from Cameroon, was recognized as the best goalkeeper for his stellar performances throughout the competition.
The golden boot was shared by four players: Algeria’s Lakhdar Belloumi, Cameroon’s Roger Milla, Egypt’s Gamal Abdelhamid, and Cote d’Ivoire’s Abdoulaye Traoré, each scoring two goals.
Their contributions highlighted the balance and competitiveness of the tournament.
A Legacy That Endures
The 1988 AFCON reinforced Morocco’s reputation as a capable and passionate host nation.
It also set the stage for the country’s future endeavors, including hosting major events such as the FIFA Club World Cup and preparing for the joint hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Portugal and Spain.
With world-class stadiums like the Mohammed V and Moulay Abdellah still standing tall, Morocco is ready to reclaim its place in the spotlight.
The upcoming 2025 AFCON is an opportunity to build on this legacy and deliver another unforgettable tournament.
Key Highlights of the 1988 AFCON:
Host Nation: Morocco
Tournament Dates: 13–27 March 1988
Host Cities: Casablanca and Rabat
Number of Teams: 8
Teams That Participated:
Morocco
Cameroon
Nigeria
Algeria
Egypt
Ivory Coast
Zaire (now DR Congo)
Kenya
Winner: Cameroon (2nd title)
Runner-Up: Nigeria
Third Place: Algeria
Fourth Place: Morocco
Top Scorers: Lakhdar Belloumi (Algeria), Roger Milla (Cameroon), Gamal Abdelhamid (Egypt), Abdoulaye Traoré (Ivory Coast) — 2 goals each
Best Player: Roger Milla (Cameroon)
Best Goalkeeper: Joseph-Antoine Bell (Cameroon)
CAF Team of the Tournament (Best XI):
Goalkeeper: Joseph-Antoine Bell (Cameroon)
Defenders: Ibrahim Youssef (Egypt), Emmanuel Kunde (Cameroon), Stephen Keshi (Nigeria), Abdelmajid Lamriss (Morocco)
Midfielders: Lakhdar Belloumi (Algeria), Gamal Abdelhamid (Egypt), Roger Milla (Cameroon)
Forwards: Abdoulaye Traoré (Ivory Coast), François Oman-Biyik (Cameroon), Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria)
Total Matches Played: 16
Goals Scored: 23 (1.44 per match)
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The first test of Morocco’s preparedness as top-notch sports organisers will again go under the microscope when the draw ceremony is held on Monday.
The kingdom is not new in hosting events. Morocco is often regarded as the ultimate sports destination.
The country has been able to combine fine athleticism on the fields with magnificent infrastructures and facilities as well as excellent organisation.
Back-to-back, the CAF Awards have been held in Morocco. Where most other African countries lack facilities to host their national teams’ competitive matches, Morocco has always been their destination.
At least three major gatherings will take place in the country this year. They include the U17 African Cup of Nations in April, the Women’s Cup of Nations, and the Cup of Nations.
This underscores the country’s growing influence in African football. The first of such hosting this year is coming up on Monday – the draw ceremony for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has highlighted the organisational and infrastructural skills of the kingdom.
CAF tagged Morocco as a leader in the organisation of football in Africa citing AFCON 2025 hosting as an example.
“Morocco’s selection as the host country for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025 comes as no surprise, given its proven track record in hosting international football competitions.
“Having hosted the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2018, the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 and the FIFA Club World Cup 2023, Morocco has proven its ability to manage major events.
“This expertise, combined with an unwavering passion for football and modern infrastructure, heralds an edition of the AFCON that could become one of the most memorable in history.
“With the launch of the road to the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025 in Morocco, excitement is at its peak, not only for the tournament itself but also for what it symbolises: a celebration of African football and a reflection of Morocco’s commitment to the sport.
“With world-class infrastructure, a passionate audience and a proven track record in hosting major sporting events, Morocco is poised to stage an AFCON that will redefine the standards of this competition.”
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The record for the greatest number of appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations finals is shared by Andre Ayew of Ghana and Rigobert Song from Cameroon with 36 each.
Both competed at eight finals tournaments, with Song appearing successively from the 1996 edition in South Africa to the 2010 tournament in Angola.
Ayew’s first tournament was in 2008 in Ghana and he has played in all since, except the 2013 finals in South Africa.
Here is a closer look at their achievements.
RIGOBERT SONG
Song won the tournament twice in 2000 and 2002 and was a runner-up in 2008. In the 2000 final in Lagos, it was Song who converted the winning kick in the post-match penalty shootout.
He played 35 successive matches at the finals in the starting line-up while his 36th game was a substitute appearance against Tunisia in the last group game of the 2010 edition in Lubango, Angola.
Song’s matches:
1996
South Africa 3 Cameroon 0
Cameroon 2 Egypt 1
Angola 3 Cameroon 3
1998
Burkina Faso 0 Cameroon 1
Cameroon 2 Guinea 2
Algeria 1 Cameroon 2
Cameroon 0 DR Congo 1
2000
Ghana 1 Cameroon 1
Cameroon 3 Cote d’Ivoire 0
Cameroon 0 Togo 1
Algeria 1 Cameroon 2
Cameroon 3 Tunisia 0
Nigeria 2 Cameroon 2
2002
Cameroon 1 DR Congo 0
Cameroon 1 Cote d’Ivoire 0
Cameroon 3 Togo 0
Cameroon 1 Egypt 0
Mali 0 Cameroon 3
Cameroon 0 Senegal 0
2004
Algeria 1 Cameroon 1
Cameroon 5 Zimbabwe 3
Cameroon 0 Egypt 0
Cameroon 1 Nigeria 2
2006
Angola 1 Cameroon 3
Cameroon 2 Togo 0
Cameroon 2 DR Congo 0
Cameroon 1 Cote d’Ivoire 1
2008
Cameroon 2 Egypt 4
Cameroon 5 Zambia 1
Cameroon 3 Sudan 0
Cameroon 3 Tunisia 2
Ghana 0 Cameroon 1
Cameroon 0 Egypt 1
2010
Cameroon 0 Gabon 1
Cameroon 3 Zambia 2
Cameroon 2 Tunisia 2
ANDRE AYEW
Ayew was a teenager when selected for the 2008 finals which Ghana hosted and he came on as a substitute in all three group games before starting for the first time in the semi-final loss to Song’s Cameroon.
Two years later in Angola he played in the final as Ghana lost to Egypt and was also a runner-up in the 2015 edition in Equatorial Guinea, which the Black Stars lost on post-match penalties to Cote d’Ivoire.
Ayew did not participate in the 2013 finals, where he chose to sit out the tournament, and had he taken part would surely have the record for the most tournaments and appearances.
Ayew’s matches:
2008
Ghana 2 Guinea 1
Ghana 1 Namibia 0
Ghana 2 Morocco 0
Ghana 0 Cameroon 1
2010
Cote d’Ivoire 3 Ghana 1
Burkina Faso 0 Ghana 1
Angola 0 Ghana 1
Ghana 1 Nigeria 0
Egypt 1 Ghana 0
2012
Botswana 0 Ghana 1
Ghana 2 Mali 0 (goal)
Ghana 1 Guinea 1
Ghana 2 Tunisia 1 (goal)
Ghana 0 Zambia 1
Ghana 0 Mali 2
2015
Ghana 1 Senegal 2 (goal)
Algeria 0 Ghana 1
Ghana 2 South Africa 1 (goal)
Ghana 3 Guinea 0
Equatorial Guinea 0 Ghana 3 (goal)
Cote d’Ivoire 0 Ghana 0
2017
Ghana 1 Uganda 0 (goal)
Ghana 1 Mali 0
Egypt 1 Ghana 0
DR Congo 1 Ghana 2 (goal)
Cameroon 2 Ghana 0
Burkina Faso 1 Ghana 0
2019
Benin 1 Ghana 2 (goal)
Cameroon 0 Ghana 0
Ghana 2 Guinea Bissau 0
Ghana 1 Tunisia 1
2022
Ghana 0 Morocco 1
Gabon 1 Ghana 1 (goal)
Comoros Islands 3 Ghana 2
2023
Cape Verde Islands 2 Ghana 1
Ghana 2 Mozambique 2
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