- Sunday, December 21, 2025
- Morocco Vs. Comoros
- Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium – 8:00 pm [10:00 pm EAT]
The football fraternity turns attention to Rabat on Sunday as the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations gets underway.
Hosts Morocco lock horns with Comoros in the tournament’s opening match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
The Atlas Lions, favourites in the tie, come into the game determined to set the tone for the tournament as they aim to win only their second African title in history.
Walid Regragui accepts the favourite tag but wants his team to prove they are Africa’s best by winning the title.
“We are playing in front of our fans and we want to make them proud,” he said.
His opposite number Stefan Cusin is aware of Morocco’s quality with a world-class squad.
“Morocco are an exceptional team — the best in Africa and one of the strongest in the world,” he said.
“They are ranked ahead of Italy in the FIFA standings, reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, boast of players from top clubs and are on an 18-match winning run.
“On paper, it is like climbing Everest. But football has its magic: anything can happen. The key is to be ready on the day. The pressure is mainly on Morocco, who are expected to win.
“For us, the aim is simply to deliver a strong performance — and if a pleasant surprise comes with the result, all the better.”
The hosts have declared skipper Achraf Hakimi fit but he may not be involved tonight due to lack of fitness while Sofiane Amrabat is doubtful.
This will be the fifth meeting between the two teams, with Morocco on top with 3 wins and a draw.
Key stat
- No host nation has lost their opening Afcon match since Burkina Faso in 1988.
Morocco possible starting lineup:
Bono; Mazraoui, Aguerd, El Yamiq, Salah-Eddine; Ben Seghir, El Aynaoui, Saibari; Diaz, En-Nesyri, Ezzalzouli
Comoros possible starting lineup:
Anzimati-Aboudou; B. Youssouf, M’Dahoma, Soilihi, Toibibou, Boura; M’Changama, Z. Youssouf, Bourhane; Said, Selemani