AFCON
Morocco name star-studded AFCON squad as Hakimi makes cut, but Diop misses out
Morocco coach Walid Regragui has named a powerful 28-man squad as the Atlas Lions prepare to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on home soil in just ten days.
The squad, unveiled on Thursday, features the country’s biggest stars, led by Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat, and striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
Despite suffering a serious ankle injury recently, Hakimi has been included and is expected to miss the opening matches, but Regragui insisted his leadership is too important to leave out.
Morocco enter the tournament under immense pressure, widely viewed as favourites after a record run of 18 consecutive victories. The home fans expect nothing less than a title—their first since 1976.
Continuity, depth and tactical flexibility
Regragui’s final list reinforces the spine that reached the 2022 World Cup semi-final and has dominated African football for the past two years.
Defensive leaders Romain Saïss and Nayef Aguerd return, joined by rising Rennes centre-back Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, who continues his rapid ascent after debuting in November.
The full-back department remains among the strongest in Africa, with Noussair Mazraoui and Adam Masina complementing Hakimi and young left-back Anass Salah-Eddine.
In midfield, Morocco will rely on a technically gifted and dynamic group including Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismael Saibari, Neil El Aynaoui, Oussama Targhalline, and the experienced Sofyan Amrabat.
The attack features an impressive mix of established finishers and emerging talent.
Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaabi lead the line, supported by creative wide players Soufiane Rahimi, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ilias Akhomach, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Brahim Diaz, who has transformed Morocco’s attacking play since switching allegiance.
Key absences and surprises
One name missing from the main squad is Sofiane Diop, who was involved in November’s fixtures but has been omitted.
Meanwhile, forward Hamza Igamane—one of Morocco’s top scorers in club football this season—has been placed on the reserve list as he continues recovering from a thigh injury.
He is joined by left-back Youssef Belammari, with both players eligible for call-up before the tournament begins.
A tournament Morocco must win
Hosting the tournament has heightened expectations. Regragui, often criticised for his pragmatism, knows that only one outcome will satisfy the public: lifting the trophy in Rabat on January 18.
Morocco, drawn in Group A, will face Comoros, Mali and Zambia as they begin their quest for continental glory.
FULL MOROCCO SQUAD FOR AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers
- Munir El Kajoui
- Yassine Bounou
- El Mehdi Al Harrar
Defenders
- Achraf Hakimi
- Mohamed Chibi
- Jawad El Yamiq
- Romain Saïss
- Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal
- Nayef Aguerd
- Adam Masina
- Noussair Mazraoui
- Anas Salah-Eddine
Midfielders
- Oussama Targhalline
- Sofyan Amrabat
- Ismael Saibari
- Neil El Aynaoui
- Bilal El Khannouss
- Azzedine Ounahi
Forwards
- Brahim Diaz
- Ilias Akhomach
- Chemsdine Talbi
- Youssef En-Nesyri
- Ayoub El Kaabi
- Soufiane Rahimi
- Abdessamad Ezzalzouli
- Eliesse Ben Seghir
Reserve Players
- Youssef Belammari
- Hamza Igamane
-Cafonline
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Veteran left back Ali Maaloul has been included in Tunisia’s 28-man squad for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, as the 35-year-old prepares to make his fifth appearance in the tournament.
Maaloul, who turns 36 next month, had not played for Tunisia for almost two years when he won a recall for a friendly last month and kept his place for the Arab Cup in Qatar, where Tunisia were eliminated on Sunday.
Maaloul has competed at four previous Cup of Nations editions, and won the African Champions League four times. He is one of several experienced internationals named on Thursday by coach Sami Trabelsi, who also included 33-year-old midfielder Ferjani Sassi, who will reach 100 caps if he plays in all three first-round matches.
Tunisia have been drawn in Group C and starts their campaign against Uganda in Rabat on December 23, after which they take on Nigeria and Tanzania.
Tunisia are making a record-extending 17th successive appearance at the Cup of Nations finals.
Goalkeepers: Sabri Ben Hassen (Etoile Sahel), Bechir Ben Said (Esperance), Aymen Dahmen (CS Sfaxien), Noureddine Farhati (Stade Tunisien)
Defenders: Ali Abdi (Nice), Mohamed Ben Ali (Esperance), Adem Arous, Mortadha Ben Ouanes (both Kasimpasa), Dylan Bronn (Servette Geneve), Nader Ghandri (Akhmat Grozny), Ali Maaloul (CS Sfaxien), Yassine Meriah (Esperance), Montassar Talbi (Lorient), Yan Valery (Sheffield Wednesday)
Midfielders: Mohamed Haj Mahmoud (Lugano), Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Al Ahly), Ismael Gharbi (Augsburg), Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley), Ferjani Sassi (Al Gharafa), Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt), Naim Sliti (Al Shamal), Houssem Tka (Esperance).
Forwards: Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen), Firas Chaouat (Club Africain), Seifeddine Jaziri (Zamalek), Hazem Mastouri (Dynamo Makhachkala), Elias Saad (Augsburg), Sebastian Tounekti (Celtic).
-Reuters
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Zambia included four teenagers in their 28-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations as coach Moses Sichone announced his selection on Wednesday.
Centre back David Hamansenya, who made his debut in a friendly against South Africa last month, was named for the tournament in Morocco along with fellow 18-year-old Eliya Mandanji who won a first cap against Angola last month.
The 19-year-old pair of Joseph Liteta, who has yet to win a cap but made his Serie A debut for Cagliari in October, and Israeli-based midfielder Joseph Sabobo Banda are also included.
There are 14 players who remain from the last Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast two years ago when Zambia did not make it past the first round after collecting two points in their three group games.
Sichone was appointed coach last month after a woeful World Cup qualifying campaign led to the departure of Avram Grant.
Zambia open their Cup of Nations campaign against Mali on December 22 in Casablanca and also meet Comoros and Morocco in Group A.
They departed Lusaka on Wednesday for a training camp in Murcia, Spain before heading to Morocco.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Francis Mwansa (Zanaco), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos)
Defenders: Mathews Banda (Nkana), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Obino Chisala (Al Merrikh), Kabaso Chongo (Zesco United), David Hamansenya (Leganes), Gift Mphande (Zesco United), Frankie Musonda (Bahrain SC), Benson Sakala (Bohemians), Stoppila Sunzu (Changchun Yatai)
Midfielders: Joseph Sabobo Banda (Hapoel Be’er Sheva), Lameck Banda (Lecce), Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian), Wilson Chisala (Zanaco), Given Kalusa (FC Muza), Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Be’er Sheva), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari), Lubambo Musonda (FC Magdeburg), Pascal Phiri (Zesco United), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha), David Simukonda (Zesco United), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos)
Strikers: Patson Daka (Leicester City), Jack Lahne Kalichi (Austria Lustenau), Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan).
-Reuters
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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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