The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held in Morocco in July and August, a Confederation of African Football (CAF) senior official told AFP on Monday. The decision was made after months of discussions between CAF and the Moroccan Football Federation, with FIFA also playing a role in mediating the agreement. The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in January and February 2025, but was postponed due to concerns about the weather conditions in Morocco during that time of
National coach Walid Regragui addressed the Moroccan team's elimination in the 2023 Afcon's round of 16, urging lessons learned and future improvements. «Coming in as World Cup semi-finalists, each team targeted us. Pressure might have affected us. Historically, CAN has been challenging for us. We must analyze and solve issues before hosting the next CAN», Regragui acknowledged in an interview with sports channel Arryadia on Friday. «Despite generating chances and ball
The Technical Study Group (TSG) of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled its official best XI for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), and to the surprise of many, Morocco's Atlas Lions are entirely absent. The chosen team features a heavy presence from the competition's finalists: three players from champions Ivory Coast and three from runners-up Nigeria. Two players each represent the third-placed South Africa and the fourth-placed Democratic Republic of Congo, with
King Mohammed VI has sent a congratulatory message to the President of Côte d'Ivoire, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, and to the First Lady, Dominique Ouattara, on the victory of the Ivorian national team in the 34th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). «Mr. President and dear brother, Madam First Lady, I am pleased to extend to you and, through you, to the Ivorian people, my warmest congratulations on the crowning of the Côte d'Ivoire national team in the final of the 34th edition of
Royal Moroccan Football Federation President Fouzi Lekjaa received the African Cup of Nations (AfCON) flag from Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara on Sunday evening. This symbolic gesture marks the official handover of hosting duties for the 2025 edition of the tournament, set to take place in Morocco. The flag presentation occurred after the 2023 AfCON final, held at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Abidjan. Both CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were
On Sunday, Ivory Coast lifted the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations trophy after edging out Nigeria 2-1 in the final. In a surprising gesture, the triumphant Elephants celebrated their victory by proudly displaying the Moroccan flag alongside their own. ??❤️?? Énorme hommage du peuple ivoirien au Maroc juste avant la remise du trophée. Le stade ovationne les Lions de l’Atlas qui ont qualifié la Côte d’Ivoire dans cette #CAN2023
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has reaffirmed its confidence in coach Walid Regragui, following the Moroccan national team's early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), according to a statement released by the football body on Monday. FRMF president, Fouzi Lekjaa, held evaluation meetings with coach Regragui, where they reviewed the team's preparation and performance, acknowledging the disappointment of fans and identifying areas for improvement. Lekjaa emphasized the
Following South Africa's victory over Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16, Fikile Mbalula, Secretary-General of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), sparked controversy by drawing political references to the Western Sahara conflict. Taking to Twitter, Mbalula declared, «We win as South Africa over Morocco, the colonists of Western Sahara. Free Western Sahara». We win as South africa against Morocco?? ,The Colonists of western Sahara ?? free Western Sahara
Morocco's coach, Walid Regragui, shouldered the blame for his team's disappointing exit from the Africa Cup of Nations after their 2-0 defeat to South Africa in the round of 16. Following the match, Regragui acknowledged his players' missed opportunities and accepted full responsibility for the setback. «We could have settled the game earlier, but at this level, mistakes are punished», Regragui told beIN Sports. «I take full responsibility. We will analyze our mistakes and
Disappointment filled the air as Morocco's aspirations for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title abruptly ended with a 2-0 defeat to South Africa in Tuesday's round of 16 clash. The spirited Bafana Bafana secured their progression to the quarterfinals with goals in the 57th and 90+5th minute. The encounter initially started with both sides cautiously probing each other, resulting in a goalless first half. Morocco created the first significant scoring opportunity but was left rueing a