The objective for Morocco is crystal clear: they must secure the title. Having waited nearly half a century for a Africa Cup of Nations trophy, Moroccan supporters are losing their patience. Following their historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar—where they eventually fell to France—the natural progression for the Lions of the Atlas was to dominate their own continent.
However, the previous CAN ended in disappointment with a shock exit in the round of 16 against South Africa, stalling their ambitions. Now, the time for redemption has arrived, and it comes on home soil. The early departure of Achraf Hakimi and his teammates last year was a bitter pill for the nation to swallow.
Ibrahim, a 20-year-old supporter, is determined not to see a repeat of that disaster. “It is unacceptable for a footballing powerhouse like ours to have only won the CAN once, and that was 49 years ago,” he says with frustration. “We are currently witnessing the golden era of our national team; another early exit would be a catastrophe following the events of 2024.”
“The squad is stronger than ever”
Currently studying sports management in Ottawa, Canada, this dedicated fan recalls the electric atmosphere in the streets of Casablanca during the World Cup. While those emotions were once a surprise, they are now the minimum expectation for CAN 2025. As fans keep an eye on West Africa Mali news and other regional rivals, the pressure on the home team continues to mount.
“Moroccan fans have much higher standards now,” Ibrahim explains. “We expect to win the CAN, and we expect to do it with style. We have the talent, so there are no excuses. Anything less than a tournament victory will be viewed as a total failure.”
Despite their confidence, supporters were worried on November 4 when Achraf Hakimi was injured during a match at the Parc des Princes. The diagnosis of a severe ankle sprain initially sparked fears he might miss the tournament. However, Ibrahim remains optimistic about the team’s depth, noting that even if the star defender was absent, players like Zakaria El Ouahdi are ready to step up.
Fortunately for the 2025 African Ballon d’Or winner, Hakimi is expected to be fit for the opening match against Comoros. This is vital news for those following Mali current affairs and continental football, as the presence of top stars defines the quality of the competition.
A nation in football fever
This tournament is a monumental event for Morocco, marking the first time they have hosted the competition in 37 years. Even with technical glitches during the ticket sales process, nearly 140,000 seats were filled within the first day of availability. Ibrahim will be traveling back from Canada to be part of the crowd.
“This will be the first major international tournament I get to attend in person,” says the young man, who has tickets for the highly anticipated clash between Sénégal and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Tanger on December 27. “The last time Morocco hosted was in 1988. We are lucky to experience this at home.” The Moroccan public is now counting down the days until the opening ceremony in Rabat on December 21.