February 11, 2025

Excitement Builds for Morocco as Top African Teams Discover Their Fate

Excitement Builds for Morocco as Top African Teams Discover Their Fate
Photo/Courtesy of CAF

Adding some glamour to the draw were four African footballing legends: Mustapha Hadji, Serge Aurier, Aliou Cissé and Joseph Yobo.

The stage is finally set for the highly anticipated Total Energies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco, 2025 edition with the final draw held on Monday, 27th January, at the magnificent Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat. Host to 24 teams fighting for continental glory, the tournament now promises electrical football from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

The defending champions, Ivory Coast, who triumphed in the 2023 edition by defeating Nigeria in the final, will return with hopes of retaining their title. Their victory was especially remarkable given the mid-tournament sacking of coach Jean-Louis Gasset, which raised eyebrows but ultimately led to a new chapter of success for the Ivorian side.

They will be joined in the draw by runners-up of the 2023 edition Nigeria, keen to make amends and clinch a record extending fourth AFCON title, with host nation Morocco also expected among the favorites for the coveted trophy owing to their impressive football pedigree and passionate home supporters.

Adding some glamour to the draw were four African footballing legends: Mustapha Hadji, Serge Aurier, Aliou Cissé and Joseph Yobo. Each of these former international stars has left an indelible mark on the AFCON tournament in their playing days and were playing an important role as assistants for the draw. Hadji, known for his dazzling performances with Morocco and a key figure in the 1998 tournament, Cissé, a leader for Senegal and now their national team coach, Aurier, a stalwart for Ivory Coast together with Yobo, the Nigerian defensive icon, were on hand to assist in drawing the teams while offering their valuable insights into the dynamics of the upcoming groups.

Notably absent from the 2025 AFCON draw is Ghana, who failed to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2004. This marks a significant change in African football’s landscape, as the Black Stars have been a staple in AFCON history. Their absence will undoubtedly leave a void, but it opens the door for other nations to shine.

 

 

Having set the stage for breathtaking encounters with solid contenders like Morocco, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Egypt, and Nigeria among others, all that the world must now get ready for is drama, passion and world class football. The road to the 35th edition of AFCON victory is now officially underway and all eyes will be on Morocco as it prepares to host the continent’s biggest football spectacle. Will the defending champions retain their crown or will a new champion emerge? Only time will tell.

AFCON GROUPS

Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros 

Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe 

Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania 

Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana 

Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan 

Group F: Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique