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Who will conquer Morocco?
Soccer Laduma
|December 18, 2025
With more former champions than ever before and no clear dominant force, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable editions in the tournament's history.
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The 2025 AFCON will be the 35th edition of Africa’s continental tournament and 24 teams head to Morocco to stake their claim to the continental crown. It is the fourth edition of the tournament to feature 24 teams, and the Ivory Coast enter the tournament as defending champions and victory in 2025 would hand them a fourth title. There are no fewer than 12 former champions competing in Morocco. Soccer Laduma’s Matthew Petersen previews the 2025 AFCON and looks at the respective teams per group, who could be considered the pre-tournament favourites and South Africa’s chances for victory as they look to claim a second continental title.
We also have expert views and comments from 1996 AFCON-winning captain Neil Tovey.
GROUP A
Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
Morocco is the strongest team in the group, boasting a FIFA World Ranking of 11th, and qualifying top of their group despite being hosts. For all their continental prowess, the Atlas Lions have only won AFCON once before, back in 1976, and will be desperate to add another. However, they will be led by reigning CAF Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi, who was instrumental in PSG’s incredible success last season. The 27-year-old will be key to Morocco’s chances. The hosts will be joined by an ever-improving Comoros side that qualified ahead of Tunisia with an unbeaten qualification campaign. The island nation failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup but cannot be underestimated as they prepare for their second AFCON appearance in the space of three tournaments. The group also contains 2012 AFCON winners Zambia, who are back after their 2023 showing, while Mali have long been considered a sleeping giant that has surprisingly failed to win AFCON before, as they return for a 10th successive tournament.
GROUP B
Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
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