AFCON 2025: Morocco Vs. Comoros match preview
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations officially begins today, Sunday, December 21, 2025, with the opener between host nation Morocco against Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
This opening match is far more than a ceremonial kickoff due to the high caliber of Group A, which also features Mali and Zambia. With Mali being a perennial contender and Zambia possessing one of the most dangerous attacking units in the tournament, Morocco cannot afford any early slip-ups.
A victory today would alleviate the massive pressure of being the host nation and provide a cushion before facing the group’s tougher opponents. For Comoros, the goal is survival; since the best third-placed teams qualify for the knockouts, even a draw or a narrow loss with a respectable goal difference could be the platform they need to replicate their historic 2021 run.
Morocco enters this fixture with a historical advantage, having remained unbeaten across four previous meetings with Comoros. The rivalry began during the 2019 AFCON Qualifiers with a narrow 1–0 Moroccan victory and a thrilling 2–2 draw. More recently, the sides met in the 2021 AFCON group stages, where Morocco won 2–0, and in a FIFA Arab Cup, which the Atlas Lions dominated 3–1.
Despite the statistics, Walid Regragui remains wary of the emotional weight of the occasion. During the pre-match press conference, Regragui acknowledged the intense local expectations, stating that the public has waited so long that they cannot stop thinking about the title. He noted that everywhere he goes in Morocco, people tell him the team “absolutely must win it,” which creates an enormous responsibility to manage the players’ emotions and ensure they remain calm, humble, and respectful of the opponent.
A major talking point ahead of the opener has been the fitness of captain Achraf Hakimi, who has been battling an ankle injury. Hakimi appeared alongside his coach at the press conference, expressing a deep sense of duty. He told reporters that the players have waited for this moment for a long time and are fully aware of the responsibility of playing a continental tournament on home soil.
Hakimi emphasized that his condition is improving daily, though he admitted he had some hesitation after the initial setback. He made it clear that while he is desperate to contribute, the final decision rests with the coaching staff, adding that he has worked hard to be at his best because hosting the tournament in Morocco provides a unique motivation to represent the country with pride.
For the Atlas Lions, the attacking burden will likely fall on Brahim Díaz, the Real Madrid playmaker who finished as the top scorer in qualifying with seven goals. His ability to navigate tight spaces will be essential in breaking down a Comorian defense that Stefano Cusin has drilled with Italian-influenced tactical rigour.
Cusin, speaking to the media, leaned into his team’s underdog status, remarking that the pressure is entirely on Morocco as the side expected to win and top the group. He described the match as a “privilege” and a chance to “change history,” noting that while Morocco is one of the best teams in the world, football contains a magic where anything can happen if his squad remains disciplined and tactically focused.
Comoros will rely heavily on veteran midfielder Youssouf M’Changama to orchestrate their counter-attacks and manage the tempo of the game. M’Changama echoed his coach’s sentiments regarding the pride of the occasion, stating that playing in the opening match is a significant honor for the island nation.
He underlined that the team’s approach is driven by faith and a desire to continue raising the level of Comorian football. M’Changama pointed out that despite the technical gap, the Coelacanths have proven they can be a “surprise team,” and they intend to enjoy every minute of the experience while seeking the right balance between defense and attack to unsettle the hosts.
The projected lineups reflect these contrasting strategies. Morocco is expected to deploy a proactive 4-3-3 featuring Yassine Bounou in goal, a midfield anchored by Sofyan Amrabat and Azzedine Ounahi, and an attacking trio of Díaz, Youssef En-Nesyri, and Abde Ezzalzouli. Comoros is likely to counter with a dense 5-3-2 formation, relying on goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina—who famously frustrated Morocco in 2022—and the attacking pace of Rafiki Saïd and Faïz Selemani. As the tournament kicks off in Rabat, the Atlas Lions seek to turn home-field pressure into momentum, while the Coelacanths aim to spoil the party and prove once again that they belong on Africa’s biggest stage.
Comoros (5-3-2):
GK: Salim Ben Boina
DEF: Bakary, M’Dahoma, Soilihi, Toibibou, Boura
MID: M’Changama, Yacine Bourhane, Zaydou Youssouf
FWD: Rafiki Saïd, Faïz Selemani
Morocco (4-3-3):
GK: Yassine Bounou
DEF: Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saïss, Anass Salah-Eddine
MID: Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Neil El Aynaoui
FWD: Brahim Díaz, Youssef En-Nesyri, Abde Ezzalzouli
