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The much-anticipated journey to AFCON 2025 has officially begun, and the continent is buzzing with excitement as 48 national teams lock horns in a bid to secure their spots at Africa’s biggest football showpiece. With Morocco set to host the tournament, 12 groups of teams are now battling it out, and things are already heating up like jollof rice on a Friday night!
Now, before you ask, yes, Morocco gets a free pass into the tournament as hosts. But don’t think they’re just sitting back sipping mint tea—they’re preparing to make their second hosting of the competition a memorable one. The last time they hosted was back in 1988, when Cameroon lifted the trophy. That was a time when football boots looked like something you’d wear to plow a farm, and the tournament featured only eight teams. Now, fast forward 36 years, and we have 24 teams ready to grace Morocco’s football fields, making it a far grander affair.
A Quick Recap of Day One’s Matches
The first round of matches kicked off on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, and some results have already caused a stir.
Sudan edged out Niger with a 1-0 victory, a result that no doubt made Sudanese fans dance like they were at a wedding! Over in Comoros, they played out a 1-1 draw against Gambia, while Tanzania and Ethiopia couldn’t break the deadlock in a 0-0 stalemate. Rwanda and Libya also shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw.
On Thursday, September 5, the drama continued. Malawi and Burundi served up a five-goal thriller, with Burundi sneaking a 3-2 win, while the Central African Republic thumped Lesotho 3-1. Ghana’s Black Stars were stunned by a 1-0 defeat to Angola, leaving Ghanaians wondering if their stars need a little more shine before the next match. Meanwhile, Algeria cruised past Equatorial Guinea 2-0, and Tunisia eked out a 1-0 win against Madagascar.
Upcoming Matches to Watch
As we move into Friday and the weekend, there are some mouthwatering fixtures that fans across Africa will be keeping an eye on. Kenya takes on Zimbabwe, while South Africa faces Uganda in what promises to be a high-stakes clash. Egypt, the record AFCON winners, face Cape Verde, and Senegal, the reigning AFCON champions, square off against Burkina Faso in a heavyweight bout.
Nigeria, always a team to watch (and with fans who expect nothing less than victory), will be up against Benin on Saturday. Nigerian fans are already rehearsing their victory songs, while the Super Eagles are sharpening their claws for this important qualifier.
Group Table From A-L
Morocco: Ready to Host AFCON 2025
Morocco is no stranger to hosting major football events, and their preparation for AFCON 2025 is well underway. Cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and Tangier are likely to play host to many matches, with the iconic Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca expected to take center stage once again. This stadium hosted the final in 1988, and with Morocco’s football infrastructure having grown leaps and bounds, fans are in for a treat.
With Morocco also part of the joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, it’s clear that the North African nation is flexing its muscles both on and off the pitch. But for now, all eyes are on AFCON 2025—where the best of African football will be showcased, and fans can expect nothing short of excitement, drama, and a few surprises along the way.
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