AFCON 2025: Hosts Morocco face tricky Comoros test in Rabat opener
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All attention will be firmly fixed on Rabat on Sunday night as tournament hosts Morocco begin their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 campaign against Comoros in a Group A opener heavy with expectation and history.
All attention will be firmly fixed on Rabat on Sunday night as tournament hosts Morocco begin their 1XBET Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 campaign against Comoros in a Group A opener heavy with expectation and history.
As the Atlas Lions step onto the pitch at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, they will be hoping to extend a long-standing tradition that has seen host nations begin the competition with victory on 19 previous occasions. A win over Comoros would make Morocco the 20th host to start positively, while avoiding an unwanted record as the first host since Burkina Faso in 1998 to lose an opening match.
Despite the pressure that comes with hosting, Walid Regragui’s side enter the contest as clear favourites, buoyed by their status as Africa’s top-ranked team and a formidable run of results. Morocco are unbeaten in competitive matches since their shock 2-0 defeat to South Africa at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, a run that has further strengthened belief among players and fans alike.
The Moroccan public will be hoping that AFCON 2025 finally marks a turning point for a generation that reached the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup but has often fallen short on the continental stage. The North Africans have won the AFCON title just once, lifting the trophy in 1976, while their only other appearance in the final came in 2004.
Hosting the tournament in 1988 produced a semi-final finish, but recent editions have brought mixed fortunes, including quarter-final exits in 2017 and 2021, as well as early eliminations that have frustrated supporters. The memory of last year’s round-of-16 defeat to South Africa still lingers, adding urgency to Morocco’s quest for redemption on home soil.
Morocco may, however, have to navigate the opener without some key figures. Star defender Achraf Hakimi is still recovering from an ankle injury, while Sofyan Amrabat and Hamza Igamane are also doubtful due to fitness concerns. Even so, the squad remains rich in quality and experience.
Youssef En-Nesyri, the most prolific scorer in the current squad with 25 international goals, is expected to shoulder much of the attacking responsibility, while Brahim Diaz, despite limited game time at club level, remains a key creative outlet.
Standing in Morocco’s way is a Comoros side that has developed a reputation for punching above its weight. Ranked 108th in the world, Les Coelacanths have consistently shown that rankings count for little at the AFCON.
Comoros announced their arrival on the continental stage during their debut appearance in 2021, when they stunned Ghana to reach the knockout rounds. Since then, their steady progress has continued, highlighted by impressive results in World Cup qualifying, including multiple victories over established African sides.
Under coach Stefano Cusin, Comoros qualified for AFCON 2025 without losing a single match, recording three wins and three draws. Their standout result came in Tunis, where they defeated Tunisia before earning a draw in the return fixture — results that underlined their growing confidence and tactical discipline.
While Comoros do not boast many household names, the team’s collective strength and counter-attacking threat make them dangerous opponents. Midfielders Youssouf M’Changama and Rafiki Said were among the goals during qualification, with Said’s strike against Tunisia ranking as one of their most memorable moments.
Veteran forward El Fardou Ben Nabouhane remains an option up front, although Faiz Selemani offers a more youthful alternative. Importantly, Comoros arrive in Rabat with a fully fit squad, giving Cusin flexibility in his selection.
Morocco will still be expected to dominate possession and dictate the tempo, but the Coelacanths’ resilience and recent history of upsetting bigger nations suggest the hosts cannot afford complacency.
While the balance of quality tilts firmly in Morocco’s favour, AFCON’s reputation for surprises ensures that Sunday’s opener could provide an early reminder that no match can be taken lightly on Africa’s biggest football stage.
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