Rabat — French television channel TV5 is tipping Morocco as one of the favorites to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy at home.
The news outlet recalled that the tournament is coming in less than a month. Morocco is hosting the African tournament on December 31, where 24 participating teams are divided into six groups.
The tournament will take place in six cities, including Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Rabat, Agadir, and Fez, in nine stadiums.
For TV5Monde, Morocco’s Atlas Lions are the “strong favorites at home.”
They will play in the opening match against Comoros on December 21 in Rabat at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Cote d’Ivoire won the last AFCON edition on home soil in February 2024.
Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, said his team is going to the AFCON with a good mindset and without doubts.
“We’re scoring goals, and there aren’t too many chances against us,” he said, expressing determination to win the AFCON this year.
“We built something after AFCON 2023. We managed the aftermath of South Africa. At home, we will be difficult to play against; we’ve proven that. We have improved and rejuvenated the team. We have integrated young players while keeping our certainties.”
He emphasized that his team is coming to the tournament with confidence, but acknowledged that “nothing is guaranteed.”
“We are focused on the AFCON. Let’s hope there are no injuries.”
Morocco won the AFCON once in its history, in 1976.
“It was Morocco’s second ever appearance in the history of the continental showpiece event, but they returned from Addis Ababa with the trophy,” the Confederation of African Football (CAF) wrote in 2022.
