Morocco begin their AFCON 2025 campaign on Sunday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, determined to avoid an unwanted place in history as the first host nation since Burkina Faso in 1998 to lose an opening match.
Even without a fully fit Achraf Hakimi, the Atlas Lions head into the curtain-raiser confident of avoiding an early stumble, though wary of a Comoros side with a growing reputation for springing shocks.
This will be Morocco’s 20th Africa Cup of Nations appearance, and expectations are sky-high. Walid Regragui’s men, buoyed by their historic 2022 World Cup semi-final run, are desperate to shake off their long-standing label as continental underachievers. The goal is clear: a second AFCON title and a first since 1976.
History, however, offers mixed memories. When Morocco last hosted in 1988, they fell at the semi-final stage and lost the third-place playoff. Since finishing runners-up in 2004, their best AFCON performances have been quarter-final exits in 2017 and 2021, alongside four group-stage eliminations and a round-of-16 shock exit at AFCON 2023 to South Africa in Ivory Coast.
Their opponents, Comoros, arrive with little fear and plenty of belief. Les Coelacanths famously announced themselves on the continental stage at AFCON 2021, dumping Ghana out of the group phase with a dramatic 3-2 win and progressing to the last 16 on their tournament debut.
Despite missing AFCON 2023 after being grouped with Zambia and hosts Ivory Coast, Comoros still amassed seven points, underlining their steady progress. This time, Stefano Cusin’s side cruised through qualifying unbeaten, winning three matches and drawing three, including a stunning victory over Tunisia in Tunis and a 1-1 draw in the return leg—results that eventually cost Faouzi Benzarti his job.
Ranked 108th in the world, Comoros continue to defy expectations. Their recent five wins in World Cup qualifying, including another triumph over Ghana, highlight a team no longer content with being cannon fodder. A repeat of their 2-2 draw with Morocco in AFCON 2019 qualifying will be firmly in their thoughts.
Morocco will contend with several fitness concerns. Hakimi is unlikely to start as he recovers from an ankle injury, while Sofyan Amrabat (leg) and Hamza Igmane (hamstring) are also doubts. Although Brahim Diaz topped Morocco’s AFCON qualifying scorers, limited game time at Real Madrid has dulled his momentum. Much of the attacking responsibility may fall on Youssef En-Nesyri, the squad’s top scorer with 25 goals, now leading the line for Fenerbahce.
Comoros, by contrast, boast a clean bill of health. Goals were shared during qualifying, with Youssouf M’Changama and Rafiki Said scoring twice each, the latter netting the decisive goal against Tunisia in Tunis. Veteran El Fardou Ben Nabouhane could spearhead the attack, though Faiz Selemani offers a younger alternative.
With history, pressure and pride all in play, Morocco will expect to start strongly—but Comoros have already proven that reputations mean little once the whistle blows.
Possible line-ups
Morocco:
Bono; Mazraoui, Aguerd, El Yamiq, Salah-Eddine; Ben Seghir, El Aynaoui, Saibari; Diaz, En-Nesyri, Ezzalzouli
Comoros:
Anzimati-Aboudou; B. Youssouf, M’Dahoma, Soilihi, Toibibou, Boura; M’Changama, Z. Youssouf, Bourhane; Said, Selemani
