{"id":17847,"date":"2025-12-19T05:55:37","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T05:55:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/19\/africa-cup-of-nations-opens-with-host-morocco-promising-spectacle\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T05:55:37","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T05:55:37","slug":"africa-cup-of-nations-opens-with-host-morocco-promising-spectacle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/19\/africa-cup-of-nations-opens-with-host-morocco-promising-spectacle\/","title":{"rendered":"Africa Cup of Nations opens with host Morocco promising spectacle"},"content":{"rendered":"


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RABAT, Morocco (AP) \u2014 The African Cup of Nations begins Sunday with host Morocco aiming for a spectacle worthy of the nation. Aiming to become a global soccer powerhouse<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The four-week tournament is designed as a high-profile dress rehearsal for the 2030 World Cup, of which Morocco will be one of the main co-hosts, and Saudi Arabia is gearing up by embarking on one of the most aggressive infrastructure programs in African sporting history.<\/p>\n

24 teams from across the continent will compete in nine new or completely renovated stadiums in six cities. Morocco has made an unprecedented progress and is one of the favorites to win the tournament. 2022 World Cup Semi-Finals<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Defending champion Ivory Coast incredible run<\/span> to Title as a host<\/span> Nigeria will be hoping for an even better result after losing in the final.<\/p>\n

Sadio Mane’s Senegal are back again Awarded 2021 Edition<\/span>And Egypt will want the speculation to end Mohamed Salah’s future<\/span> There will be no distractions for the team as they aim for a record-extending eighth continental title.<\/p>\n

Here’s what you need to know about the 35th edition of the biennial tournament.<\/p>\n

Why Morocco?<\/h2>\n

Guinea was originally scheduled to host the 2025 Games, but the West African country has now been chosen to host the Games. stripped from tournament<\/span> 2022, when the host Confederation of African Football determines that the country does not have adequate infrastructure and facilities. Morocco, which was stripped of the competition in 2015, offered to intervene. Every African Cup since 2013 has been postponed due to issues with the original host country.<\/p>\n

The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in the summer, but CAF agreed to postpone it to avoid conflicts with FIFA’s new rules. club world cup<\/span> competition.<\/p>\n

CAF switched the Africa Cup to a summer schedule in 2017, effective from the 2019 Egypt Games. The 2021 tournament, which was then postponed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, was moved to January due to “unfavorable climate conditions” in host country Cameroon’s summer.<\/p>\n

countries and groups<\/h2>\n

Morocco, who won in 1976, are under pressure to win just their second African Cup title. The Atlas Lions begin their match against the small nation of Comoros on Sunday at the newly built 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Group A also includes Mali and Zambia.<\/p>\n

In Group B, Egypt and South Africa, who eliminated Morocco last time out, will clash, while Angola and Zimbabwe will aim to upset the favorites.<\/p>\n

Nigeria are expected to advance from Group C, with the Super Eagles facing Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.<\/p>\n

In Group D, Senegal and Congo will face Benin and Botswana. In the last tournament, Congo only lost in the semi-finals to eventual champions Ivory Coast.<\/p>\n

Algeria are under pressure in Group E after being eliminated in the group stage last time out. The Desert Foxes will play Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan.<\/p>\n

In Group F, a match is expected between defending champion Ivory Coast and five-time champion Cameroon. Overshadowed by the coach’s dismissal<\/span> During a dispute with Federation President Samuel Eto’o. Gabon and Mozambique exit the group.<\/p>\n

Ghana, who have won the tournament four times, failed to qualify.<\/p>\n

The top two teams from each group and the top four third-place teams will advance to the final tournament.<\/p>\n

star player<\/h2>\n

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi’s face seems to shine from every billboard in Rabat. Time will tell if he recovers from his illness. ankle injury<\/span> Featured on the team.<\/p>\n

Salah will be in the spotlight at the Egyptian camp amid speculation he could leave Liverpool after his exit. vented his frustration<\/span> That’s because he didn’t have enough playing time there. Salah, 33, has never won an African Cup, but he came close in 2017 and 2022, when Egypt reached the final.<\/p>\n

Victor Osimhen remains a key player for Nigeria. Galatasaray forward’s injury absence is a big reason for the Super Eagles Missed out on next year’s World Cup<\/span>.<\/p>\n

manchester united forward Brian Mbeumo<\/span> Yann Diomande, key to Cameroon’s hopes, is expected to shine in Ivory Coast after an impressive start to the season with German club Leipzig.<\/p>\n

How to watch<\/h2>\n

The Africa Cup will be broadcast on beIN Sports in the United States and Canada. Qatari broadcasters also hold the rights to broadcast the tournament in France and a number of other countries.<\/p>\n

“AFCON is a great international tournament that is increasingly recognized in world football,” beIN Chief Sports Officer Richard Verreault told The Associated Press. <\/p>\n

Channel 4 will broadcast the tournament free-to-air in the UK, Movistar in Spain, Sport Digital in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and Sport Italia in Italy.<\/p>\n

CAF is Complete list of European broadcasters<\/span> on its website.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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