Afcon will be a spectacle of epic proportions as Salah aims to end his title misery

THIS year's Africa Cup of Nations tournament showcases some of the continent's most talented players and teams.

- HERMAN GIBBS

The hosts, Morocco, will kickoff the continental showpiece on Sunday, December 21, against one of the lowest-ranked countries, Comoros, in the opening match in Rabat.

As Africa's top world-ranked team, Morocco is the favourite to win the championship on home soil, thanks in part to its impressive journey to the semifinals of the last Fifa World Cup in Qatar.

However, the hosts face a potential setback with the early loss of their captain, Achraf Hakimi, who sustained a serious ankle injury while playing for Paris Saint-Germain against Bayern Munich.

Despite this hurdle, the Moroccan side oozes talent and tactical nuance. Adopting a flexible 4-3-3 formation, Morocco's approach combines defensive solidity with rapid offensive transitions, utilising their fleet-footed wingers to outpace opponents and chip away at their defences.

With an enviable 11th-place world ranking, Morocco seeks to end a 49-year title drought, having last lifted the Afcon trophy in 1976.