AFCON 2025: Karim El Ahmadi tips Morocco to triumph on soil

Former Morocco midfielder Karim El Ahmadi has backed the national team to lift the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy to be staged on home soil from December 31, to January 18.

The 35th edition of the biennial tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will be hosted by Morocco for the second time and the first since 1988. Morocco was originally scheduled to host the 2015 edition, but withdrew due to fears stemming from the Western African Ebola virus epidemic.

The Atlas Lions under coach Walid Regragui have been placed in Group A alongside Mali, Zambia and Comoros. They will begin their campaign against Comoros at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on the opening day.

El Ahmadi believes this squad’s blend of rising talent and seasoned leaders can reinforce Morocco’s status as a standard bearer of African football.

“I think the clearest glimpse of what AFCON will be like came in the home match against Niger, with the new stadium and atmosphere. That is exactly what we will see in December: new venues, huge numbers of supporters, full stands,” he said as quoted by CAFOnline.com.

Morocco is ready for AFCON

“Morocco is ready—there are strong infrastructure and good hotels. Everyone is looking forward to the AFCON in December, in their own country. It is a major event and there is real excitement.”

On Morocco’s opening game against Comoros he said: “Yes, there will be pressure. But for me the supporters give extra motivation; they push players to go beyond 100 per cent. Moroccan players have enough experience to handle that pressure— it will even be a strength.

“We saw it in Qatar: it felt as if we were playing in Morocco because of the number of fans. In December it will be the same, with better pitches and infrastructure.

“Other teams will benefit too. I remember tournaments where the pitches and facilities were not good. It was difficult. This time the conditions will be ideal, and that will help big teams like Senegal or Côte d’Ivoire as well. But for Morocco, the crowd will be an extra motivation.”

He added: “The biggest strength is the collective. We saw at the last World Cup that it was not only about individuals but a real team. Today there is a huge amount of talent and many good players. In every position there are three or four options.

“The strength comes from difference makers: Hakimi on the right, Mazraoui on the left, En Nesyri up front, Amrabat in midfield for defensive balance. And, above all, we have a top goalkeeper in Yassine Bounou, which is essential to win the AFCON. The hardest part will be for Regragui: choosing his starting XI.”

After Comoros, Morocco will face Mali on December 26, before winding up their preliminary group matches against Zambia on December 29.

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