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THE African Cup of Nations has RETURNED for another exciting year of thrilling action in Morocco!
Stars such as Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Manchester United's duo of Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, and Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin are just a few of the notable names participating.
Ivory Coast enters the tournament as the defending champions after their 2023/24 victory.Credit: AP
Sebastien Haller scored as Ivory Coast triumphed over Nigeria in the final last time.Credit: AFP
Mo Salah is among the many Premier League stars participating in the tournament.Credit: AFP
However, breakout star Victor Osimhen will not be making the journey, as Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2025 tournament.
Ivory Coast enters the tournament as the defending champions, having defeated Nigeria and others.
Max-Alain Gradel and former striker Sebastien Haller were the scorers as they claimed victory on home soil.
SunSport brings you everything you need to know about the tournament in Morocco!
When does AFCON start?
AFCON kicked off on Sunday, December 21.
The tournament began with Morocco facing Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The group stage will continue until New Year's Eve, followed by the last-16 matches starting on January 3.
The quarter-finals will commence on January 9, the semi-finals on January 14, and the third-place play-off on January 17.
The final of the tournament is scheduled for Sunday, January 19.
How to watch AFCON for FREE and is there a live stream?
For the first time in history, AFCON will be broadcast for FREE in the UK.
A total of 52 matches will be aired across Channel 4, E4, 4Seven, Channel 4 Streaming, and the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel.
AFCON Groups
Group A – Comoros, Mali, Morocco, Zambia
Group B – Angola, Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Group C – Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda
Group D – Benin, Botswana, DR Congo, Senegal
Group E – Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F – Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mozambique
AFCON Schedule
All times are GMT
Friday, December 21
Group A
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Monday, December 22
Group A
Mali 1-1 Zambia
Group B
Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe
South Africa 2-1 Angola
Tuesday, December 23
Group C
Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
Tunisia 3-1 Uganda
Group D
Senegal 3-0 Botswana
DR Congo 1-0 Benin
Wednesday, December 24
Group E
Algeria 3-0 Sudan
Burkina Faso 2-1 Equatorial Guinea
Group F
Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique
Cameroon 1-0 Gabon
Friday, December 26
Group A
Morocco 1-1 Mali
Zambia 0-0 Comoros
Group B
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
Angola 1-1 Zimbabwe
Saturday, December 27
Group C
Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia
Uganda 1-1 Tanzania
Group D
Senegal 1-1 DR Congo
Benin 1-0 Botswana
Sunday, December 28
Group E
12pm – Algeria vs Burkina Faso
2:30pm
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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