The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) officially kicked off in Morocco this Sunday, marking the first time in the tournament’s history that the finals are being held over the Christmas and New Year period.
The host nation enjoyed a perfect start to their campaign at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where the Atlas Lions secured a 2-0 victory over Comoros.
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Currently ranked 11th in the world, Morocco enters the tournament under immense pressure to end a championship drought dating back to 1976.
Tournament Structure and Heavyweight Clashes
The month-long festival of football features 24 teams divided into six groups. While the hosts headline Group A, several “Groups of Death” have already caught the attention of fans:
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Group F: Defending champions Ivory Coast face five-time winners Cameroon.
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Group B: Mohamed Salah begins his quest for a maiden title as Egypt takes on 1996 champions South Africa.
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Group D: Powerhouses Senegal and DR Congo are set for a high-stakes showdown.
The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed finishers, will advance to the Round of 16 starting on January 3, 2025.
A “Christmas Feast” of Football
Organizers have scheduled a dense calendar to accommodate the holiday season. Following the opening weekend, the group stage will feature four matches daily (12:30, 15:00, 17:30, and 20:00 GMT) through December 31.
Morocco has utilized nine world-class stadiums across six cities—Rabat, Agadir, Fes, Marrakech, Casablanca, and Tangier—many of which have undergone extensive renovations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The Contenders: Can Anyone Stop the Atlas Lions?
Morocco enters as the overwhelming favorite, boasting an unprecedented 18-match winning streak that began in March 2024. During this dominant 20-month run, they have outscored opponents 50-4.
However, several challengers look poised to spoil the party:
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Senegal: The 2021 champions recently flexed their muscles with an 8-0 demolition of Kenya.
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DR Congo: Arriving with high momentum after knocking Cameroon and Nigeria out of World Cup qualifying.
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Egypt & Algeria: Both nations went unbeaten in World Cup qualifying and are expected to thrive in the North African climate.
Key Dates for the Diary
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Group Stage: Dec 21 – Dec 31
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Round of 16: Jan 3 – Jan 6
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Quarter-finals: Jan 9 – Jan 10
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Semi-finals: Jan 14
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The Final: Sunday, Jan 18 (Rabat, 19:00 GMT)
With seven different winners in the last eight editions, the 2025 tournament promises to be one of the most unpredictable yet as the continent crowns its king in the heart of winter.
