AFCON 2025: Host Morocco aims to commence competition with win over Comoros in Rabat

Match: Morocco v Comoros
Venue: Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah (Rabat)
Time: 7 PM

Walid Regragui’s Atlas Lions will commence their bid to win their first-ever AFCON title since 1976. Moroccan football has been flourishing in the last three years, having almost won everything except the big one on the continent.

The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will kick off at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat on Sunday, 21st December, with Morocco playing against minnows Comoros.

The Moroccan squad is laden with talents who are optimistic of ending the long wait for the ultimate prize in African football.

Achraf Hakimi, Sofyane Amrabat and Hamza Igamane will likely not play for Morocco, but in Bono, Aguerd, Mazraoui, and En Nesyri, they have an experienced bunch to choose from. Youngsters like Ismael Saibari of PSV, Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid, and Bayer Leverkusen’s hot star Eliesse Ben Seghir are all going to enjoy their debut AFCON.

Comoros, under Italian manager Stefano Cusin, have qualified for their second AFCON. Their debut was in 2021 in Cameroon, when they lost in the Round 16 against the host after shocking Ghana to book a place in the knockout stage.

Myziane Maolida, Youssuf M’Chamanga, and Faiz Selemani in attack, Comoros have the firepower to cause an upset.

All eyes will certainly be on Rabat on Sunday night with the world watching how things will pan out in North Africa. The Atlas Lions are the overwhelming favourites against the Coelacanths.