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Everything is in place for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The players, coaches, fans, analysts, and the world are ready.
This will mark the first time in the tournament's history that it is scheduled for December.
“I believe it’s a great idea,” Adava Oluwagbenga, a broadcaster with Midas Radio 90.5 FM, told DAILY POST.
“The European leagues will still be in operation, and the players will be in good shape.
“The only drawback is that players won’t be able to spend time with their families during the holiday season.
“However, considering the weather, location, and playing surfaces, I think it’s an excellent time for the competition, and I anticipate Morocco will be a fantastic host.”
Morocco will welcome the rest of the continent.
It’s been a long time coming. In recent years, the North African nation has gradually reestablished itself among the elite in football, even on the global stage.
At the last World Cup in Qatar, the Atlas Lions set a record for Africa by reaching the semi-finals, where they were defeated by France. Croatia subsequently triumphed over them 2-1 in the third-place match.
Since then, their men's U-23 team secured a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, while the U-20 team became world champions after defeating Argentina in the final held in October.
Morocco has also claimed victory in the last three African Nations Championships (2018, 2020, and 2024). This week, that team also won the FIFA Arab Cup final against Jordan.
This success has led many observers to label them as pre-tournament favorites.
Adava, however, disagrees.
“I wouldn’t exactly say that—aside from age-grade competitions and their success in the last Olympics, what else have they won? Look at their AFCON records since 2000.
“Even though they reached the semi-finals of the last World Cup, I’m eager to see how they perform in this AFCON.”
Which other teams are likely to excel at the AFCON?
“I believe South Africa is a nation that will perform very well,” Adava states.
“They have significantly strengthened over the last 2 to 3 years, and I truly believe they are the dark horses entering this tournament.
“I also expect Senegal to go far, but I’m not anticipating much from the defending champions, Ivory Coast.”
What about the Super Eagles?
“Since the dawn of the millennium, we have consistently performed well at AFCON, except for 2008,” Adava emphasizes.
“Regardless of how weak our squad may be, we seem to always deliver strong performances in AFCON. Enough to propel us into the semi-finals frequently, and we often return home with a bronze medal.
“Currently, we are the reigning silver medalists, and based on the quality of our players—emphasizing player quality rather than coaching—I believe we can reach the top four again, assuming all goes well.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in December?
This is the first time the tournament will take place in December, allowing players from European leagues to participate while they are still in good form, despite the downside of missing holiday time with family.
What are Morocco's recent achievements in football?
Morocco has recently made significant strides, including reaching the semi-finals of the last World Cup, winning bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and becoming world champions at the U-20 level after defeating Argentina.
Which teams are expected to perform well in the tournament?
Apart from Morocco, South Africa is considered a strong contender, with Senegal also expected to perform well. The defending champions, Ivory Coast, are not anticipated to excel as much.
What is the historical performance of the Super Eagles at AFCON?
The Super Eagles have been strong performers at AFCON since 2000, with the exception of 2008. They frequently reach the semi-finals and have a history of winning bronze medals.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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