Kalaba reveals why Morocco hold significant edge to lift AFCON

Former Zambia international Rainford Kalaba has revealed why Morocco are the clear favourites to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil.

The 35th edition of the AFCON is scheduled to kick off in the North African nation from December 21 to January 18. It will be the first time that the tournament will be played over the Christmas and New Year period.

The tournament will bring together the best from African soil, the likes of Tunisia, who will partucpate for the 22nd time and extended their record for consecutive participations, reaching the tournament for the 17th time in a row, having not been absent since 1994.

Comoros, Gabon, Sudan and Zimbabwe will make their return to the continental tournament after missing out on 2023, Benin and Uganda make their return after an almost five-year absence from the event.

Morocco will benefit from extensive experience at this level

Meanwhile, Botswana will feature for the second time after their first participation in 2012. Ahead of tournament kick-off, who earned 103 caps for Zambia, and scored 15 goals in the process, maintains Morocco holds a clear advantage ahead of the rest to be crowned on January 18.

“Several teams are capable of winning the CAN, but Morocco has a significant edge. They’ll be playing at home and benefit from extensive experience at this level,” Kalaba told Egyptian website (Btolat) as quoted by Foot Africa.

On Zambia’s chances in Morocco, he said: “Preparation is going well. The team is a balanced mix of young talents and experienced players.

“There is a real chance to go far in the tournament, but every match must be approached with the utmost seriousness.”

Morocco will feature in Group A alongside Zambia, Comoros, and Mali.