AFCON
Comoros chances at Cup of Nations hit by FIFA decision
Comoros have had their chances of making an impact in the opening game of the African Cup of Nations severely impacted by FIFA’s surprise decision to delay the release of their players, said coach Stefano Cusin.
Comoros, who are the smallest nation competing, take on highly fancied hosts Morocco in the tournament’s opening game in Rabat on December 21.
However, their expansive preparation plans have had to be cancelled after FIFA changed the date that clubs have to release players to the national teams competing at the finals.
Last week, world football’s governing body announced that clubs need only release players on December 15, seven days shy of the regulated 14-day period prior to a continental championship kickoff.
It has thrown plans for pre-tournament camps and friendlies into disarray for many of the 24 competing nations.
Comoros, competing at the finals for a second time and hoping to replicate the giant-killing havoc they caused in the 2021 edition in Cameroon, have been among the worst affected, according to Cusin.
“We planned a training camp in Tunisia with a friendly game against Botswana this coming weekend,” he told Reuters
“Everything was ready, but now we have had to change everything. It affects us more than other teams because we’re going to play in the opening game.”
Comoros draw all their players from clubs across Europe and the Middle East.
“Releasing players on December 15 means we’ll only get in four or five training sessions before our first game,” Cusin added.
“We are angry about that; it was not correct to tell us just one week before. If we’d known from the beginning, then we could have made a different plan.”
The dates for the upcoming Cup of Nations from December 21-January 18 were set to avoid any conflict with the Champions League and other European club competitions.
Reuters
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Morocco have received a timely boost ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, as star right-back Achraf Hakimi is expected to arrive in the Kingdom in the coming days to begin the final stage of his recovery from injury.
With less than two weeks to the start of the tournament, which runs in Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, Paris Saint-Germain confirmed in their latest medical report that the Atlas Lions’ captain is undergoing rehabilitation and working towards being fit for the opening matches.
French journalist Fabrice Hawkins (RMC) reported that Hakimi will travel to Morocco to continue treatment and step up preparations for AFCON. He added that a member of PSG’s medical staff will accompany the defender to monitor his progress during the period.
“The plan is for Hakimi to be ready to represent Morocco at AFCON, and return to PSG soon after the tournament,” Hawkins explained on his X account, noting that medical teams from PSG and the Moroccan national camp are working jointly to ensure the player’s return is managed without risking further injury.
Hakimi’s presence would be a major lift for the tournament hosts, who are aiming to win the continental title on home soil.
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Mozambique have sprung one of the most remarkable selection decisions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after naming 42-year-old winger Dominguez in their final squad for the tournament in Morocco.
Dominguez, who celebrated his 42nd birthday last month, is now set to become the oldest outfield player in AFCON history and the second-oldest participant overall.
Only legendary Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary was older when he appeared in the 2017 final at 44 years and 21 days.
The veteran midfielder’s international journey looked over earlier this year when coach Chiquinho Conde dropped him for missing a crucial visa deadline that forced him out of a World Cup qualifier in Egypt. But Dominguez forced his way back into contention, earning a recall for November friendlies and sealing his place after impressing in camp.
Mozambique are heading to their second consecutive AFCON after returning to the finals in 2023, ending a 13-year wait that stretched back to Angola 2010—where Dominguez was also part of the squad. Astonishingly, fellow survivor Mexer, aged 37, is also back in the squad, underlining a golden generation still resisting time.
Placed in Group F, the Mambas open their campaign against defending champions Ivory Coast in Marrakech on December 24, before meeting Gabon and Cameroon in a challenging pool.
Should Dominguez feature, AFCON history will witness a rare milestone—proof that age continues to bow to football passion in Africa’s biggest football stage.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ernan (Associacao Black Bulls), Ivane Urrubal (Ferroviario Nacala), Kimiss Zavala (Marítimo)
Defenders: Bruno Langa (Pafos), Chambuco (Associacao Black Bulls), Diogo Calila (Santa Clara), Edmilson (Al Quwa Al Jawiya), Mexer (Keciorengucu), Nanani (UD Songo), Nene (Abu Salim), Oscar (UD Songo), Reinildo (Sunderland)
Midfielders: Alfonso Amade (Dunfermline Athletic), Dominguez (UD Songo), Guima (Zira FK), Kambala (Polokwane City), Keyns Abdala (Chaves), Maza (Ferroviario Beira)
Forwards: Chamito (Associacao Black Bulls), Faizal Bangal (AC Mestre), Geny Catamo (Sporting Lisbon), Gildo Vilanculos (Tadamon Sour), Melque (UD Songo), Stanley Ratifo (Chemie Leipzig), Witi (Nacional)
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One of the Super Eagles’ Group C opponents, Uganda have become the first team to arrive in Morocco ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, touching down in Casablanca on Monday, to continue their final phase of preparations.
The Cranes’ early arrival underlines their determination to make an impression in a group that includes three-time champions Nigeria, North African heavyweights Tunisia, and regional neighbours Tanzania.
Uganda will spend 11 days in Morocco for a closed-camp training programme which includes two tune-up games, according to the Uganda FA, although details of the friendly fixtures are yet to be confirmed.
The East Africans are coached by Belgian tactician Paul Put, whose experience across the continent—having previously handled Burkina Faso, Gambia and Guinea—is seen as a key advantage as they attempt to unsettle more established opponents like the Super Eagles.
Group C matches will be played in Rabat and Fez, with Nigeria and Uganda scheduled to face each other in what could prove decisive in the race for knockout qualification.
Uganda, ranked 85th in the world and 18th in Africa, will be making their eighth AFCON appearance. Their best record remains runners-up finish in 1978, while they reached the quarter-finals in Egypt in 2019. They have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup.
Beyond the senior tournament, the Cranes have enjoyed recent continental milestones, including a first-ever quarter-final appearance at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), and boast 15 CECAFA titles—an all-time regional record.
Nigeria are bidding for a strong start in Morocco following their dramatic run to the AFCON final in Côte d’Ivoire earlier this year. With Uganda already settled into Moroccan territory, the early psychological message is clear: Group C will demand full focus from the Super Eagles from day one.
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