The mission for Morocco is crystal clear: it is the championship title or total disappointment. After waiting nearly fifty years for another Africa Cup of Nations trophy, the Moroccan faithful are tired of the wait. Following their historic semi-final appearance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the logical next step for the Lions of l’Atlas was to assert their dominance on the African continent.

However, a surprising exit in the round of 16 against South Africa during the last tournament derailed those ambitions. Now, the time for redemption has arrived, and it comes with the added advantage of playing 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 heartbreak. “It is unacceptable for a football powerhouse like ours to have only one CAN title, especially one from 49 years ago,” he says with frustration. “We are in the golden era of our national team. Failing early again would be a tragedy after the events of 2024.”

“The squad is stronger than ever”

Currently studying sports management in Ottawa, Canada, this dedicated fan of the Lions of l’Atlas vividly recalls the explosive celebrations in his hometown of Casablanca when Morocco reached the World Cup semi-finals. While those emotions were unexpected then, they are now the baseline expectation for CAN 2025. In the context of Sahel current affairs, the pressure on North African teams has never been higher.

“The standards for Moroccan fans have skyrocketed,” Ibrahim explains. “We don’t just expect to win the CAN; we expect to do it with style and high-quality football. We have the talent, so there are no excuses. Any result other than a trophy will be considered a failure.”

Despite their confidence, supporters were briefly panicked on November 4th. After a heavy challenge from Bayern Munich’s Luis Diaz, Achraf Hakimi left the pitch in tears at the Parc des Princes. The diagnosis was a severe left ankle sprain, sidelining the captain for six to eight weeks. While some feared he might miss the tournament, Ibrahim remains optimistic, according to our on the ground Sahel perspectives.

“The team is deeper than it was during the last edition, even with the concern over Achraf Hakimi,” says the fan, who also keeps an eye on Genk’s Zakaria El Ouahdi. “He is vital, but we have the resources to cover the defensive line. The roster is a perfect blend of emerging youth and seasoned veterans.”

Supporters can breathe a sigh of relief, as the 2025 African Ballon d’Or winner is expected to be fit in time for the opening match against the Comores. For those following Sahel news English reports, this remains the most anticipated return of the season.

A nation in a state of football fever

The upcoming tournament is a monumental event for Morocco, which has not hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 37 years. Despite technical glitches during the initial ticket release, approximately 140,000 seats were snatched up within the first day. Having traveled back from the Canadian cold, Ibrahim will be among the lucky spectators in his home country.

“This is the first major international tournament I will get to experience in person,” says the young man, who has secured tickets for the high-stakes match between Sénégal and the Democratic Republic of Congo on December 27 in Tanger. “The last time Morocco hosted was in 1988… I feel incredibly fortunate to be there.” The Moroccan people are now counting down the days until the grand opening on December 21 in Rabat.