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AFCON Morocco 2025: Everything You Need To Know

The countdown to the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has officially begun as the North African nation of Morocco prepares to host the continent’s premier football tournament for the second time in its history.

With the qualifiers over and the 24 teams to play in the competition known, here’s a comprehensive guide to what fans can expect from the 35th edition of this iconic competition.

A Return to Morocco
Morocco last hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1988, a tournament that saw just eight teams compete, with Cameroon emerging victorious after a hard-fought final against Nigeria.

Fast forward to 2025, and the tournament has expanded significantly, with 24 teams set to compete, highlighting the growth and development of African football over the past three decades.

Morocco was confirmed as the host nation on September 27, 2023, a decision that has been met with widespread enthusiasm.

The Atlas Lions, who automatically qualify as the host nation, are eager to showcase their country’s readiness to host a competition of this magnitude, especially after their historic performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

Stadiums and Host Cities
While the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has yet to officially announce the venues, several iconic stadiums are expected to play a central role in the tournament. These include:

Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca: A likely centerpiece of the tournament, this historic venue hosted the 1988 AFCON final and is expected to be a major venue once again.
Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat: Another key venue, currently undergoing expansion to increase its capacity.
Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier: Set to host some of the tournament’s biggest matches, with an expanded capacity to accommodate more fans.

Adrar Stadium, Agadir: Known for its stunning location and modern facilities, also being expanded ahead of the tournament.

Marrakech Stadium, Marrakech: A popular venue with fans and likely to see significant action during the tournament.

Fez Stadium, Fez: A more traditional setting that will add to the diverse experiences offered to fans.

Qualifiers and Teams
While Morocco was the only team currently assured of a place in the tournament as the host nation, the remaining 23 spots was decided through a rigorous qualifying process.

The qualifiers, which kicked off in September 2024 and ending in November 2024, saw 48 nations divided into 12 groups, with the top two teams from each group securing their place in Morocco.

The qualification process was intense, with teams like reigning champions Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and Algeria all vying for a spot.

Most of the giants secured their places while others like Ghana and Guinea could not qualify for the competition.

The 24 countries qualified for TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025

Morocco (Hosts), Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Algeria, DR Congo, Senegal, Egypt, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Uganda, South Africa, Gabon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Zambia, Mali, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Sudan, Benin, Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique

Draw Date: The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final Draw will be held in Rabat, Morocco, on 27 January, 2025.

Key Dates:
Opening Match: TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025: Opening match will be played Sunday, 21 December 2025;

Final Match: The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final Match will be played Sunday, 18 January

Morocco’s Growing Football Reputation
Morocco’s selection as the host for AFCON 2025 is no surprise given the country’s recent track record in successfully hosting major international football events.

From the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) to the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2023, Morocco has consistently demonstrated its capacity to organize and deliver world-class football tournaments.

This track record, combined with the country’s passionate football culture and state-of-the-art infrastructure, sets the stage for what could be one of the most memorable editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Looking Ahead
As the road to Morocco 2025 begins, anticipation is high not just for the tournament itself but for what it symbolizes—a celebration of African football and a showcase of Morocco’s commitment to the sport.

With world-class facilities, a football-mad population, and recent experience in hosting major tournaments, Morocco is poised to deliver an AFCON that will set new benchmarks for the competition.

News

PFC 2025: GTI congratulates states and FCT champions

After a very busy weekend of hostilities which culminated in the emergence of champions from 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) at the ongoing President Federation Cup (PFC), strategic partners to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, has congratulated the teams for emerging victorious and being worthy ambassadors of their states.

According to GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba in Lagos on Monday, he congratulated both the men and women teams that featured at the state finals for proving their mettle and hopes the energy, grit, technical and tactical discipline they exhibited during the state finals will be replicated when action commences at the national finals.

“GTI’s journey of taking the President Federation Cup to the next level has commenced this year after our maiden outing last year. GTI Group congratulates the champions from the various states and FCT for living up to billing.

“As expected, there were upsets. In Abia for example, 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League champions Enyimba of Aba were beaten 3-1 on penalties after a pulsating 0-0 draw with an NLO club, Ahudiya Nnem FC. The Abiriba-based amateur side had earlier defeated Abia Warriors at the semi-finals, thus setting the stage for another scintillating PFC national finals,” Ekejiuba said.

“In other results, perennial Enugu State President Federation Cup champions, Rangers International FC were lucky as they emerged champions courtesy of a 3-0 spanking of NNL side, Ijele FC in the final match played on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

“Rangers’ young midfield sensation, Daniel Onyia broke the deadlock in 33^rd minute when he rifled home a shot from a distance of thirty meters and Ijele FC goalkeeper was beaten hands-down.

“Again, in the 54^th minute, Michael Uchebo stabbed home the second goal for the ‘Flying Antelopes’ after receiving a pass from Effimi Nsi and later in the 67^th minute, Daniel Onyia grabbed his brace as his long-range shot took a wicked deflection to send the opponent’s shot stopper, Ojobo Ifebuche, the wrong way for the third goal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.”

Elsewhere, in Benue, Lobi Stars once again, emerged as champions of the 2025 President Federation Cup after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a determined Flight FC of Gboko at the Benue State University Sports Complex, Makurdi. The Pride of Benue took an early lead in the 20th minute when Johnmark Aule curled a stunning free kick into the net, setting the tone for an electrifying contest. However, Flight FC responded just before halftime, with John Lim restoring parity in the 45th minute.

A second-half goal (54^th minute) from Samuel Tiza was enough to prove decisive in the thrilling encounter that saw Alia Boys emerge champions.

Below is the breakdown of all the results from the 36-state finals and FCT in both men and women categories of PFC:

2025 States PFC Final Results (Men)

Abia: Enyimba 0-0 (1-3 pen) Ahudiyannem FC
Adamawa: Adamawa United 2-0 Velvot Academy
Akwa Ibom: Akwa United 1-0 Eagles Eye FA
Anambra: Solution FC 0-0 (0-2 pen) Edel FC
Bauchi: Wikki Tourists FC 1-0 Warinje FC
Bayelsa: Bayelsa United 2-2 (2-4 pen) Krusaders FC
Benue: Lobi Stars 2-1 Flight FC
Borno: El Kanemi Warriors FC 3-0 Police Machine (CP Strikers) FC
Cross Rivers: Rovers FC 1-0 E World
Delta: Warri Wolves FC 2-1 Sapele Lions
Ebonyi: Cynosure FC 0-1 Abakaliki FC
Edo: Bendel Insurance FC 3-0 Assemblies of God
Ekiti: COPDEM 0-1 NOSMAS
Enugu: Rangers FC 3-0 Ijele FC
FCT: EFCC 0-0 (3-4 pen) FWC FC
Gombe: Gombe United 3-1 El Sharma FC
Imo: Heartland FC 2-0 OISA FC Okpala
Jigawa: Dandidi Babes 2-0 Lautau United
Kaduna: Simon Beb FA 1-1 (2-4) Green Berets
Kano: Pillars 3-2 Barau FC
Katsina: Katsina United 1-0 Jnr. Danburam FC
Kebbi: Discovery Talent Academy 1-5 Kebbi United
Kogi: Kogi Central FC 1-2 FC Bako
Kwara: Kwara United 1-1 (5-4 pen) ABS
Lagos: Inter Lagos 0-0 (5-4 pen) Ikorodu City
Nasarawa: Nasarawa United 2-0 FC Basira
Niger: Atlantic FA, Suleja 0-0 (6-5 pen) Harmony FA, Bosso
Ogun: Imperial FC 2-2 (8-7 pen) Beyond Limits
Ondo: Sunshine Stars 0-0 (4-3 pen) Sunshine Stars U19
Osun: Osun United 0-1 Igbajo United
Oyo: Crown FC 0-0 (2-4) Shooting Stars FC
Plateau: Plateau United 2-0 Mighty Jets International FC
Rivers: Rivers United 0-0 (4-3 pen) Wilbros FC
Sokoto: Sokoto United FC 1-2 Sokoto North FC
Taraba: Technobat FC 0-1 Eagle Stars FC
Yobe: Yobe Desert Stars 10-1 Gujba Academy
Zamfara: Zamfara United 1-0 Zamfara Feeders FC

2025 States PFC Final Results (Women)

Akwa Ibom: Ibom Angels 3-0 Jacklyn Angels
Bayelsa: Bayelsa Queens 8-0 Crystal Stars FC
Delta: Delta Queens FC 2-0 Delta Babes
Edo: Edo Queens 3-0 Fortress Ladies
FCT: Naija Ratels 6-0 N-Youth Ladies FA
Kaduna: Gallant Queens 6-0 Kada Queens FC
Kwara: Moje Queens 2-2 (4-3 pen) Kwara Ladies
Lagos: Unification FC Ladies 0-1 Dannaz Ladies FC
Ogun: Remo Stars Ladies 4-0 Castmong Ladies FC
Ondo: Sunshine Queens 3-3 (4-2 pen) Onimarg FC
Plateau: Plateau United Queens 2-1 Mighty Jets Mata
Rivers: Rivers Angels 10-0 Sporting Angels

News

Niger Delta Sports Festival: Online Registration Portal Closes On Friday 28 Feb.

Technical Committee Co-Chairman of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), Enefiok Udo-Obong has announced that the registration portal would be closed on February 28 as he urged State Liaison Committees to double their efforts at facilitating registration of athletes in their respective states. He hinted that there will be a reward for the state with highest entries.

Udo-Obong spoke in a virtual review meeting of the Technical/Facilities Committee and the States Liaison members.

He also seized the opportunity to remind them of the eligibility rules, emphasising that, “the only eligibility criteria are being an indigene of a Niger Delta Development Commission state and being under 25 years of age”.

He disclosed that an exception to the age cap rule is for football and boxing where professionals and League players are not qualified to register.

“We excluded the Para Sports from the age cap, there is no age limit in those

sports. But Olympians who are under 25 years are eligible to participate”.

A cursory check on the registration data shows that more entries have been received for athletics, followed by football and Para athletics.

On a state by state registration scale, Delta State is ahead of the rest and are trailed by Ondo, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Edo states.

The Australia 2000 Olympics gold medalist in the 4x400m relay disclosed that he has secured the confidence of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) Co-Chairman, Itiako Ikpokpo for a reward to the top three states in the registration ladder.

The NDSF is the very first regional sports festival in the country and will hold in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from April 1-9. The festival is sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for athletes indigenous to the nine mandate states of the Commission.

Over 3,000 athletes are expected to participate in 17 select sports.

News

Federation Cup: GTI Thumbs Up NFF organisational Prowess, Lauds Clubs

Strategic partners to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup (PFC), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, has commended the high level of organisational prowess exhibited by the nation’s football-ruling body and the quality of competitiveness among clubs featuring in the ongoing 2024/2025 PFC competition.

According to GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba in Lagos on Friday, he commended all the clubs that registered for this year’s competition for exhibiting high level of discipline as the state finals are expected to be concluded this weekend. The contending teams are encouraged to uphold the spirit of Fair play.

“As it has been the tradition in the past, some of the big teams in this year’s edition have succumbed to the fire-power of the so-called minnows. In Abia State, a non-league club, Ahudiya Nnem FC, dumped out Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club, Abia Warriors from this year’s edition. The Abiriba-based amateur side defeated Abia Warriors, last year’s national finalists 3-1 on penalties after the match ended one goal apiece in the regulation time in the semi-final decided at the Umuahia Township Stadium last week.

“Therefore, with the state finals slated for this weekend, fans are expected to look out for more surprises,” Ekejiuba said. “The PFC (formerly Federation Cup) is the oldest domestic football competition in Nigeria and GTI Group is committed to improving Nigerian football at all levels. We will continue to energise the competition as strategic partners to NFF and also make the competition more attractive.”

Meanwhile some finalists have emerged in the men and women categories for the PFC state finals to be decided this weekend. In Cross River State, Rovers United will be battling E World FC in the men’s final slated for E. J Esuene Stadium Calabar by 3pm on Saturday, while in Sokoto State, Sokoto United will square up against Sokoto North FC also in the men’s final on Sunday at Giginya Memorial Stadium Sokoto by 4pm.

From Rivers State, Rivers United will lock horns with Willbros FC in the men’s final game, while defending champions Rivers Angels will tackle Sporting Angels FC in the women’s final. Both matches will be played at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Saturday, February 22, 2025.