By Nwanze A. Moses

As the winter chill sets in across the globe, the heat of African football is about to ignite in the Atlas Mountains. The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, promises to be a spectacle of raw talent, tactical battles, and unbridled passion. For the first time since 1988, Morocco steps up as hosts, riding high on the crest of their 2022 World Cup semi-final heroics. This edition isn’t just a tournament; it’s a homecoming for the Atlas Lions and a continental crossroads where old giants clash with emerging underdogs. With 24 nations qualified and the draw already delivering fireworks, here’s what football fans across the Mother Continent—and beyond—can anticipate.

The Groups: Drama Baked In from Day One

The group stage draw, conducted in January 2025, has crafted a mosaic of matchups that blend familiarity with fresh rivalries. Six groups of four, where the top two advance alongside the four best third-placed teams to the knockout rounds. No easy paths here—expect blood, sweat, and the occasionalVAR controversy.

Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
The hosts kick off against Comoros on December 21 in Rabat, a poetic nod to the Indian Ocean islanders’ giant-killing run in past editions. Mali’s physicality and stars like Yves Bissouma will test Morocco’s flair, while Zambia brings Chipolopolo grit. Morocco, unbeaten in qualifiers, should top the group, but Comoros could snag a surprise point.

Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
The Pharaohs, seven-time champions, face a tricky opener against Zimbabwe in Agadir. Bafana Bafana’s resurgence under Hugo Broos adds spice, and Angola’s Palancas Negras are no pushovers after their 2023 quarter-final jaunt. Expect Egypt to grind through, but South Africa could edge second on home-soil vibes—wait, Moroccan soil, but you get the drift.

Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
The Super Eagles, perennial contenders, meet the Eagles of Carthage in what could be a tactical chess match. Uganda’s Cranes and Tanzania’s Taifa Stars, both riding qualification highs, inject unpredictability. Victor Osimhen’s Napoli form will be key for Nigeria, but don’t sleep on Tunisia’s defensive masterclass.

Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
Defending champions Senegal, led by a post-Mane generation, open against Botswana in Tangier. The Leopards of DR Congo boast Yoane Wissa’s fire, while Benin’s Squirrels and Botswana’s Zebras aim to play spoilers. Senegal looks like group winners, but Congo’s chaos could propel them forward.

Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
The Desert Foxes, 2019 winners, face Burkina Faso’s Stallions in a North-West Africa showdown. Equatorial Guinea’s Nzalang Nacional, 2021 dark horses, and Sudan’s Falcons of Jediane add bite. Algeria’s experience should prevail, but Sudan’s resilience post-qualification turmoil makes them intriguing.

Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
A heavyweight clash: Elephants vs. Indomitable Lions in Fez, evoking memories of their 2021 final. Gabon’s Panthers, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s swansong potential, and Mozambique’s Mambas round it out. Ivory Coast, hosts of the last edition, edge it, but Cameroon’s five titles loom large.

The format remains tried-and-true: 36 group games from December 21-30, Round of 16 from January 3, quarters January 10-11, semis January 14-15, third-place January 17, and the final in Casablanca’s Mohammed V Stadium on January 18.

Favorites, Dark Horses, and Bold Predictions

Morocco enter as red-hot favorites at 11/4 odds, buoyed by home advantage and a squad blending World Cup veterans with Europa League sharpshooters. Their semi-final run in Qatar still fuels dreams of a first AFCON title. Egypt (6/1) and Senegal (7/1) lurk close, with the Pharaohs chasing an eighth crown and the Lions defending theirs amid a transition. Nigeria (11/1) and Ivory Coast (12/1) round out the top tier, promising West African dominance if egos stay in check.

Dark horses? South Africa could replicate their 2019 quarters, while DR Congo’s attacking verve screams upset potential. Early ESPN rankings place Morocco first, Senegal second, and Nigeria third, but with 24 diverse squads, anything’s possible—remember Comoros’ 2021 stunner?

My bold call: Morocco lift the trophy in Casablanca, edging Senegal 2-1 in the final. But watch for a Group C explosion propelling Nigeria to semis.

Stars Aligned: Players Lighting Up Morocco

AFCON thrives on individuals who transcend teams, and 2025 boasts a galaxy of talent. Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, the eternal maestro, will miss Liverpool games but could etch his name deeper into Pharaoh lore alongside Omar Marmoush’s predatory instincts. Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou form a defensive bedrock, with Hakimi’s PSG overlaps terrorizing flanks.

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, Serie A king, hunts his first AFCON glory, backed by Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta magic. Algeria’s Amine Gouiri and Senegal’s young guns like Mamadou Lamine Camara add flair, while Ivory Coast’s Karim Konate and Amad Diallo signal a golden generation. Over 50 Premier League stars will feature, from Bryan Mbeumo (Gabon, Brentford) to Mohammed Kudus (Ghana, absent here but emblematic of the talent pool). 

Venues: From Rabat’s Majesty to Tangier’s Roar

Morocco’s six host cities—Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakesh, Agadir, and Fez—offer nine world-class stadiums, blending heritage with modernity. The crown jewel? Tangier’s 75,000-seat Ibn Batouta, a cauldron for knockouts. Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah (68,700) hosts the opener, while Casablanca’s Mohammed V awaits the final. Expect festive atmospheres: tagine-scented streets, Atlas Mountain backdrops, and fan zones pulsing with Afrobeat and Gnawa rhythms. Logistics favor the hosts, with high-speed trains linking cities, though winter rains could test pitches.

The Bigger Picture: Unity, Rivalries, and Legacy

AFCON 2025 arrives amid Africa’s rising global football clout—think Morocco’s World Cup bid and Senegal’s youth surge. It’s more than goals; it’s a balm for qualifiers’ heartbreaks and a stage for stories like Sudan’s resilience or Botswana’s debut dreams. For neutrals, it’s the chaos: extra-time thrillers, penalty shootouts under floodlights.

As kickoff nears, one truth endures: AFCON doesn’t just crown champions; it crowns moments. Morocco, prepare the celebrations. Africa, tune in. The Lions are roaring.

Nwanze A. Moses is a Lagos-based football writer and analyst, chronicling the beautiful game’s African soul for outlets worldwide.