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Algerian media remain skeptical about the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to entrust Morocco with organizing the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon 2025). Following CAF's announcement to postpone the tournament to December, Algerian outlets have been busy spreading misinformation about Morocco's alleged «lack of preparation».
Earlier this week, CAF confirmed that the 2025 edition of Afcon will now take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The tournament was initially scheduled for June 2025, a timeframe that coincided with the new version of the Club World Cup, set to occur in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, featuring 32 teams.
At the FIFA Club World Cup, African representation includes Al-Ahly (Egypt), Wydad de Casablanca (Morocco), Esperance Tunis (Tunisia), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa). The involvement of numerous African players in this competition could disrupt preparations for Afcon 2025.
Despite these logistical considerations, Algerian media have attributed CAF's decision to what they claim is «Morocco's lack of infrastructure preparation». Echorouk, for instance, headlined that Afcon had «lost its value due to CAF's naivety and Lekjaa's stupidity», suggesting a «Makhzen stranglehold on the Motsepe body».
The newspaper even predicted that this edition of Afcon «is likely to be the worst in every aspect, both organizationally and technically».
Algerian media dismiss CAF's statements
Continuing this narrative, the newspaper criticized the process of awarding the 2025 and 2027 Afcon tournaments, downplaying Algeria's bid despite the «remarkable success of several football events», as noted by CAF President Patrice Motsepe himself.
Algérie Maintenant also chimed in, claiming that the postponement was «no surprise», asserting, «The whole world knows that the host country, Morocco, is ill-prepared». Similarly, Dzair Tube attributed the delay to «the host country's lack of preparation, due to weak sports infrastructures and the economic crisis affecting the kingdom».
Algerian sports programs have echoed these sentiments, blaming the rescheduling on «Morocco's lack of preparation to host this footballing event», with some even accusing CAF of «flouting all laws to protect Morocco».
Contrary to these allegations, CAF President Patrice Motsepe recently expressed his confidence in the upcoming Afcon edition, stating it would be the best in the history of the competition.
Following the CAF Executive Committee meeting and the announcement of the postponement, Motsepe affirmed that this major football event would be «a great success». He also expressed his gratitude to «King Mohammed VI, the government, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), and the Moroccan people for hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the Women's African Cup of Nations 2024».
