A van carrying a group of football enthusiasts has begun a remarkable cross-continental road trip through eight African countries in celebration of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The initiative, titled “Destination Morocco 2025 – Land of Football,” departed Cotonou, Benin, last week and is scheduled to travel thousands of kilometres across Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal and Mauritania before reaching Morocco in time for the tournament, which runs from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

Organisers say the journey is aimed at uniting African fans and building excitement toward the continent’s biggest football competition.

“The objective is simple: reach the Kingdom and celebrate Africa’s greatest football festival,” organisers said, noting that the caravan also intends to highlight pan-African identity and shared passion for the game.

The month-long adventure is expected to generate media attention along the route, with planned fan interactions and promotional activities in several cities before the convoy arrives in Morocco shortly before the tournament kicks off.

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Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi has unveiled his final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations – a list that Nigeria will study closely with the Taifa Stars billed as the Super Eagles’ opening opponents at Morocco 2025.

The East Africans, making only their fourth appearance at the continental finals, are drawn in a tricky Group A alongside Nigeria, Tunisia and neighbours Uganda. Their ambition is clear: qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

For Nigeria, who face Tanzania on 23 December in Casablanca, the announcement provides an early read on a team determined to prove they can compete at the highest level.

Samatta Back as Tanzania’s Big Hope

The biggest headline from Gamondi’s list is the return of captain Mbwana Samatta, now enjoying a career revival with French Ligue 1 side Le Havre. Experienced forward Simon Msuva, who plies his trade in Iraq, also makes the cut after initially appearing in the provisional squad.

Gamondi has stuck to his earlier promise of building a “strong, well-balanced side” with a clear reliance on domestic talent. The squad features standout performers from leading Tanzanian clubs such as Simba SC, Young Africans and Azam FC.

Continuity and Youth

Several home-based regulars – including Feisal Salum, Pascal Msindo, Yakoub Suleiman and Mohammed Hussein – have been retained, while promising youngsters like Kelvin Nashon and Novatus Dismas are also listed.
Another notable name is defender Haji Mnoga of English side Salford City, who adds valuable experience from the 2023 AFCON campaign.

Quiet Confidence from Gamondi

Tanzania collected their highest-ever points total in the 2023 AFCON despite exiting at the group stage, and Gamondi believes his men can go a step further.
“We need to push to get results in every game,” the Argentine said during the squad process, emphasising belief in the identity and discipline of local players.

Nigeria First

Nigeria will be expected to take maximum points from the opening game, but the Taifa Stars are arriving with quiet confidence and continuity. Their defensive unit, which looked better during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, will be tested immediately by the Super Eagles’ firepower.

After facing Nigeria, Tanzania meet Uganda on 27 December before closing the group phase against Tunisia on 30 December.

With Group A shaping up as one of the most unpredictable in Morocco, Nigeria’s first opponents are signalling they are ready for a real fight.

Tanzania’s final 28-man squad for AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers
Yakoub Suleiman (Simba SC)
Hussein Masalanga (Singida BS)
Zuberi Foba (Azam FC)

Defenders
Bakari Mwamnyeto (Young Africans)
Shomari Kapombe (Simba SC)
Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam FC)
Mohamed Hussein (Young Africans)
Nickson Kibabage (Simba SC)
Alphonse Mkabule (Shamakhi, Azerbaijan)
Wilson Nnang (Simba SC)
Novatus Dismas (Göztepe FC, Turkey)
Kelvin Nashon (Tanda Jiji)
Pascal Msindo (Azam FC)
Haji Mnoga (Salford City, England)
Dickson Job (Young Africans)

Midfielders / Forwards
Ibrahim Abdulla (Young Africans)
Habibu Iddi (Singida BS)
Tarrryn Allouche (Rochdale AFC, England)
Charles Mombwa (Floriana FC, Malta)
Morice Abraham (Simba SC)
Feisal Salum (Azam FC)
Ahmed Pipino (Azam FC)
Abdul Suleiman (Azam FC)
Iddi Selemani (Azam FC)
Mbwana Samatta (Le Havre, France)
Elias Maguli (Azam FC / Ufaransa)
Shomari Lawi (Aalborg BK, Denmark)
Simon Msuva (Al-Talaba, Iraq)

Coach: Miguel Gamondi

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Cote d’Ivoire coach Emerse Faé has named his 26-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with Wilfried Zaha making a surprise return and Simon Adingra missing out of the squad. 

The announcement was made on Tuesday afternoon as the defending champions confirmed the squad they will take to Morocco.

The returning Zaha, now 33, is included for the first time in nearly two years after impressing with Charlotte FC in MLS, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists this season.

His recall comes as Faé looks to balance experience with emerging talent in a squad tasked with defending the title they won on home soil in 2024.

Faé said discussions with Zaha had been ongoing “for several months” and that the forward’s recent club form and profile fit what the Elephants needed in attack.

Jean-Michaël Seri, also recalled, returns after a long injury lay-off.

Several younger players have also been retained, including Yan Diomandé, Amad Diallo and Bazoumana Touré, reflecting Faé’s intention to refresh the squad while keeping its competitive core intact.

However, the absence of Brighton winger Simon Adingra is one of the headline omissions. Adingra, who was a breakout figure at the 2023 AFCON, has struggled for playing time at Sunderland this season, featuring only nine times.

Faé said competition for his position was “very strong” and that he had to prioritise players with greater continuity in club football.

Nicolas Pépé, another high-profile absentee, also misses out despite regular appearances for Villarreal. His omission continues a trend from recent international windows in which the winger has been overlooked. Jérémie Boga and Clément Akpa are also excluded, while Torino defender Wilfried Singo misses the tournament through injury.

The 26-man squad will be supported by two reserves, Parfait Guiagon and Evann Guessand, who will be on standby in case of pre-tournament withdrawals.

Côte d’Ivoire enter the tournament in Group F alongside Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique. After their dramatic title win in 2024, Faé hopes the blend of youth and senior players will allow the Elephants to compete strongly again in Morocco.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Yahia Fofana (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Mohamed Koné (Charleroi SC, Belgium), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos, Greece)

DEFENDERS: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Boly Willy (Nottingham Forest, England), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP, Portugal)
Guela Doué (RC Strasbourg, France), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente, Portugal), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta BC, Italy), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma, Italy), Christopher Operi (Istanbul Başakşehir, Turkey), Armel Zohouri (FC Iberia 1999, Georgia)

MIDFIELDERS: Seko Fofana (Stade Rennais, France), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (FC Metz, France), Christ Inao Oulaï (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia), Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest, England), Jean-Michael Seri (NK Maribor FC, Slovenia)

FORWARDS: Vakoun Bayo (Udinese Calcio, Italy), Oumar Diakité (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Amad Diallo (Manchester United, England), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig, Germany), Sébastien Haller (FC Utrecht, Netherlands), Jean-Philippe Krasso (Paris FC, France), Bazoumana Touré (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany), Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte FC, United States)

STANDBY: Guessand Evann (Aston Villa, England), Guiagon Parfait (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium)

-CAFonline

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