AFCON 2025 Kicks Off In Morocco As Africa’s Biggest Football Story Returns

Author - CEDANEWS
December 22, 2025
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AFCON MOROCCO 2025


The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 officially got underway yesterday in Morocco, and with it came the familiar surge of emotion, pride, and raw competitiveness that only African football can deliver. From the opening ceremony to the first whistle, it was clear this tournament will once again be about more than football — it is about identity, belief, and national honour.

This year’s AFCON brings together 24 nations, competing across multiple Moroccan cities including Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Fes, and Tangier. The tournament will run until 18 January 2026, stretching across the festive season and into the new year, a period where football often becomes a shared language across homes, streets, and communities.

Hosts Morocco had the responsibility — and pressure — of opening the competition, facing Comoros in the first match of AFCON 2025 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

As expected, the atmosphere was intense. A packed stadium, red flags everywhere, and a crowd desperate to see a confident start from their team. Morocco controlled possession early, but Comoros refused to be overawed. They defended deep, stayed organised, and frustrated the hosts for long spells.

The breakthrough eventually came in the second half when Brahim Díaz found space and calmly put Morocco ahead, lifting the tension inside the stadium. Later in the game, Ayoub El Kaabi sealed the win with a stunning acrobatic finish, sending the home fans into full celebration. The 2–0 victory gave Morocco the perfect start — not flashy, but professional and composed.

It was the kind of opening match that sums up AFCON: tough, tactical, and decided by moments rather than dominance.

AFCON 2025 arrives with several strong narratives already in motion:

Morocco, semi-finalists at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, are under pressure to convert promise into continental success.

Defending champions Ivory Coast are back to prove their triumph was no fluke.

Traditional powerhouses like Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and Cameroon are all chasing legacy and redemption.

Emerging nations are determined to upset the hierarchy and write new history.

This edition also highlights the growing influence of Europe-based African players, many of whom were born abroad but have chosen to represent their countries of origin. Their presence adds experience, tactical awareness, and global exposure to the tournament.

Unlike other international competitions, AFCON is never predictable. Rankings mean little. Reputation offers no protection. Matches are often decided by grit, discipline, and mental strength rather than pure talent.

Morocco celebrate a against Comoros

Players are not just representing teams — they are carrying stories of millions. Every goal sparks celebrations far beyond stadium walls. Every defeat triggers national debates, reflection, and sometimes heartbreak.

Notably, the absence of former champions Ghana is felt across the continent, serving as a reminder that AFCON qualification is never guaranteed, no matter a nation’s history.

With the opening match now complete, attention shifts to the rest of the group-stage fixtures. As the tournament progresses, pressure will rise quickly. Draws will feel like losses. Losses will demand immediate response. By early January, the knockout stages will begin, where mistakes become fatal and heroes are made overnight.

AFCON 2025 has started quietly but confidently — with structure, intensity, and purpose. If the opening day is any indication, Africa is once again in for weeks of drama, emotion, and unforgettable football moments.

This is not just a tournament. This is AFCON — and it has officially begun.


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