Where the Beautiful Game Comes Alive
All eyes will be on Rabat on Sunday as burdened Morocco begin their quest for a second Africa Cup of Nations title against Comoros in the Group A opener.
There have been 19 host-nation wins to begin the continental showpiece, and the Atlas Lions hope to record a 20th such victory against the Coelacanths, whose undeniable potential to cause upsets is well known.
Host Nation Pressure: Morocco begin their AFCON 2025 journey aiming to avoid becoming the first hosts since Burkina Faso in 1998 and sixth overall to lose the opening match of the tournament.
Morocco begin their AFCON 2025 journey at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday, aiming to avoid becoming the first hosts since Burkina Faso in 1998 and sixth overall to lose the opening match.
Even without the physically compromised Achraf Hakimi, the Atlas Lions will head into Sunday confident in their chances of avoiding a shock draw or defeat, even if they will be wary of their opponents.
Walid Regragui's men enter their 20th AFCON with the weight of expectation of supporters who want the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists to finally shed their tag of being underachievers for so long on the continent, aiming to claim the crown for only the second time and a first since 1976.
Hosting it for the first time in 1988 only resulted in a semi-final berth, before they lost the third-place match, a stage that the one-time African champions have seldom reached since.
In fact, Morocco's best showings at the Cup of Nations since reaching the title match in 2004 were two quarter-finals at the 2017 and 2021 editions.
There have been four group-stage exits and two round-of-16 eliminations, the latter of which happened in the 2023 finals in the Ivory Coast, where they were stunned by South Africa.
Incredibly, that 2-0 loss in January in San Pedro was the last time Regragui's side were beaten in a competitive game, underlining Morocco's status as Africa's No 1 team.
The Coelacanths head to Morocco with their undeniable potential to cause upsets well known to African football followers, having made a name for themselves as giant-killers in recent tournaments.
Comoros will be looking to channel the spirit that has seen them become one of Africa's most exciting underdog stories in recent years, with their passionate approach and never-say-die attitude making them a dangerous opponent for any team.
Despite being clear underdogs against the host nation and tournament favorites, Comoros have shown they can compete with the continent's best on their day, and they will relish the opportunity to shock the football world in Rabat.
The team's organization and collective spirit have been their greatest strengths, and they will need to be at their disciplined best to contain Morocco's talented attacking lineup.
Comoros' journey to AFCON 2025 represents another chapter in their remarkable football story, and they will be determined to make their mark against the tournament hosts in the opening match.
World Cup Semi-Finalists: Morocco shocked the world by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, beating Spain and Portugal along the way, establishing themselves as Africa's top-ranked team.
• Africa's No 1 ranked team
• 2022 World Cup semi-finalists
• Only one AFCON title (1976)
• Hosting for second time
Underdog Specialists: Comoros have built a reputation as dangerous underdogs in African football, known for their ability to cause upsets against more fancied opponents.
• Known for causing upsets
• Passionate playing style
• Strong team organization
• Making third AFCON appearance
Morocco's last competitive defeat came in the 2023 AFCON against South Africa, meaning they enter this tournament on an impressive unbeaten run in competitive matches, adding to the pressure and expectation on the host nation.
Opening Match History: There have been 19 host-nation victories in AFCON opening matches throughout history. Morocco will be aiming to make it 20 and avoid becoming only the sixth host nation to lose their tournament opener.
Morocco will be without their star defender Achraf Hakimi, who is physically compromised and unlikely to be available for the tournament opener, which represents a significant blow to the host nation's defense.
Despite Hakimi's absence, Morocco possess considerable depth and quality throughout their squad, with several Europe-based stars ready to step up and lead the team in their quest for a second AFCON title.
The Atlas Lions will rely on their experienced core of players who have been instrumental in their rise to become Africa's top-ranked team, including key figures from their historic 2022 World Cup campaign.
Manager Walid Regragui will need to find the right balance between experience and youth as he looks to guide Morocco to tournament success on home soil.
Comoros will approach the match with their characteristic team spirit and organization, looking to frustrate the host nation and exploit any opportunities that come their way.
The Coelacanths' squad features a mix of experience and emerging talent, with several players based in European leagues bringing valuable experience to the team.
Team organization and defensive discipline will be crucial for Comoros as they look to contain Morocco's talented attacking players and potentially spring a surprise on the counter-attack.
The underdogs will draw confidence from their previous giant-killing exploits and will be determined to write another chapter in their remarkable football story.
Competition: Africa Cup of Nations 2025
Date: Sunday, January 2026
Time: Evening Kickoff
Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Stakes: Host nation opener in AFCON 2025
Comoros undoubtedly pose a challenge and may believe they have a chance against a Morocco team missing the world-class Hakimi, who is unlikely to be available.
However, despite the expected absence of the Paris Saint-Germain star, the Atlas Lions possess more than enough offensive strength to secure a victory.
| Market | Prediction | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Match Result | Morocco Win | Host advantage and superior quality |
| Both Teams to Score | No | Morocco's defensive strength |
| Over/Under 2.5 Goals | Under | Tournament opener caution |
Key Betting Insight: As tournament hosts and Africa's top-ranked team, Morocco are overwhelming favorites despite Achraf Hakimi's absence. However, AFCON openers can be cagey affairs, and Comoros' reputation as organized underdogs suggests Morocco may need patience to break them down. A comfortable but not necessarily high-scoring home victory appears the most likely outcome.
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The Sevilla striker will be crucial to Morocco's attacking plans, using his physical presence and goal-scoring ability to lead the line for the host nation in their quest for a perfect tournament start.
The experienced forward (not listed in the provided lineup but likely to feature) has been Comoros' talisman in previous tournaments and will be looking to inspire another underdog performance against the hosts.
This match presents a classic tournament opener scenario - the host nation with all the pressure and expectation against determined underdogs with nothing to lose. Morocco will look to dominate possession and use their technical superiority, while Comoros will aim to stay organized defensively and look for opportunities on the counter-attack or from set pieces.
Home Advantage: Morocco will be playing in front of their passionate home supporters at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, creating an intimidating atmosphere for the visitors as the Atlas Lions begin their quest for a second AFCON title and first since 1976.
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"In football, the impossible is just another challenge."
"One team, one dream. Every match is a story waiting to be written."
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