Morocco players warm up, Achraf Hakimi (r) during the 2026 World Cup Qualifier football match between Morocco and Niger at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat on 05 September 2025 ©Nour Aknajja/BackpagePix
Saturday Dec 20, 2025. 13:41
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui must manage pressure and expectations as they kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title challenge against Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 9pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
The Atlas Lions last lifted the trophy in 1976 – their one and only success – and they’ve contested the final just once more, in 2004 which saw them lose 2-1 to hosts Tunisia.
Regragui’s side showed they mean business this time around after winning all six of the matches during the qualifiers – the only country to do so – and scoring an impressive 26 goals in the process.
Morocco are on a hot streak, having set a new record for most consecutive wins (16) when they beat Congo 1-0 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on October 14, while also claiming the Arab Cup this month.
The North African giants faced Comoros in their first game of that tournament as well and ran out comfortable 3-1 victors, with Soufiane Bouftini, Tarik Tissoudali and Karim El Berkaoui scoring the goals.
The Coelacanths are making just their second appearance on Africa’s biggest stage after reaching the round of 16 on their debut in the 2021 edition when they were also paired with the Atlas Lions.
Stefano Cusin’s side went through the qualifying campaign unbeaten with a record of three wins and three draws to finish top of Group A, two points ahead of Tunisia.
However, their warm-up for the continental showpiece didn’t go particularly well after losing all three of their matches in the Arab Cup to exit at the group stages.