By Martin Graham
As the Africa Cup of Nations returns for another mid-season edition, attention is finally moving away from scheduling disputes and towards events on the pitch. Morocco hosts the 2025 tournament, which begins on Sunday, and expectations are high for a competition renowned for drama and surprises.
Two storylines dominate early discussion. One centers on whether Morocco can capitalize on home advantage and an extraordinary run of results to secure only their second continental crown. The other focuses on Mohamed Salah, who is once again attempting to win AFCON with Egypt after falling short on previous occasions.
Yet history suggests that narrowing the narrative would miss the essence of this competition. Recent editions have delivered shocks, unlikely champions, and sudden turnarounds, reinforcing AFCON’s reputation as one of football’s most unpredictable tournaments.
Morocco under the spotlight
Morocco arrive as favorites after climbing to the top of the African rankings and extending a world-record sequence of 18 consecutive victories. Their status has been enhanced since their landmark run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, which reshaped perceptions of African teams on the global stage.
That winning streak, however, comes with qualifications. Tunisia is the only opponent inside the world’s top 50 that Morocco has defeated during this run. For head coach Walid Regragui, who saw his side eliminated at the last-16 stage in 2023, managing expectations may prove as important as tactics.
Public anticipation is intense. Tickets sold out rapidly, and supporters expect celebrations in Rabat on 18 January, marking what they hope will be the country’s first AFCON triumph since 1976. Captain Achraf Hakimi is still racing against time to regain fitness, but even without him, Morocco is expected to reach the knockout rounds.
Players have stressed the importance of emotional intensity. Sofyan Amrabat spoke of recreating the collective spirit seen at the World Cup in Qatar, highlighting how crowd energy and commitment can outweigh purely technical qualities in African football.
The wider context adds sensitivity to the event. Earlier protests by young Moroccans questioned heavy investment in stadiums ahead of the 2030 World Cup, while deadly flooding in the Safi region has cast a shadow. Tournament organizers will be keen to ensure AFCON proceeds smoothly as the country seeks to reinforce its footballing stature.
Salah’s pursuit and other contenders
For Mohamed Salah, this tournament represents another opportunity to claim the one major honor missing from his career. The 33-year-old is competing in his fifth AFCON, having previously lost two finals with Egypt.
His international focus follows a turbulent period at the club level after publicly criticizing Liverpool earlier this month. Having returned from the bench last weekend, his attention now turns fully to Egypt’s campaign and the chance to finally lift the trophy.
Elsewhere, several nations arrive with strong credentials. Ivory Coast’s astonishing home victory earlier this year, achieved despite dismissing their coach during the group stage, remains fresh in memory. Senegal have also signalled their strength with a high-profile win over England in June.
Nigeria hopes to improve on their performance at the 2023 finals, while Cameroon’s preparation has been overshadowed by internal upheaval. Both sides are seeking redemption after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Complaints, chaos and expectation
As with previous mid-season editions, AFCON’s timing has caused friction with European clubs. CAF faced limited options once FIFA scheduled an expanded Club World Cup for June and July, leading to a compromise over player release dates.
FIFA ruled that clubs only needed to release players seven days before the tournament, disrupting preparation plans for several teams. Mali coach Tom Saintfiet described the move as disastrous, arguing that African football deserved greater consideration.
Comoros were particularly affected, with overseas-based players forced to shorten a training camp and cancel a friendly ahead of their opening match against Morocco. Coach Stefano Cusin expressed frustration at the late notice, saying earlier clarity would have allowed better planning.
Despite these issues, CAF remains committed to a two-year cycle, with AFCON providing the bulk of its revenue for reinvestment across the continent. On the field, other hopefuls include South Africa under Hugo Broos, Algeria led by prolific scorer Mohamed Amoura, and Sudan, who qualified despite playing all matches away from home because of civil war.
With seven different champions across the last eight tournaments, the presence of 12 former winners underlines the quality on display. While a first-time champion appears unlikely, AFCON’s history suggests that surprises remain inevitable.
