When the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Sunday, hosts Morocco are hoping it leads to the culmination of an ambitious long-term plan to become the continent’s leading football nation.
Since last lifting the Afcon trophy in Ethiopia in 1976, the Atlas Lions have rarely come close to repeating the feat. It is a lengthy wait which contrasts sharply with recent achievements elsewhere.
“Every time I put [on] the Moroccan jersey, it’s like an amazing feeling,” midfielder Sofyan Amrabat told the BBC World Service.
The former Manchester United player was a key part of the Morocco side who reached the semi-finals of the last Fifa World Cup in Qatar – the first African nation to go that deep at the tournament.
“It’s difficult to explain. It’s something you feel inside in your heart,” the 29-year-old said about representing his country.
“I’m really looking forward to this Afcon, especially because it’s at home. And of course, we hope it’s going to be ours.”
For Moroccan football analyst Jalal Bounouar, the expectations are clear.
“Morocco’s primary and most immediate goal is to win Afcon,” he told BBC Sport Africa.
“Winning the continental title is seen as the final piece of the puzzle.”
The semi-final defeat by France at Qatar 2022 was followed by the men’s under-23s winning bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics, while the under-20s are world champions after defeating Argentina in October’s final.
Morocco have also won the last three African Nations Championships – an international tournament for players based only in domestic leagues – in which they have participated (2018, 2020 and 2024). This week, that side also clinched victory in the Fifa Arab Cup final against Jordan.
These successes have, unsurprisingly, raised expectations, according to Bounouar.
“Since 1976, we have not been able to win the Africa Cup of Nations, can you imagine?” he said.
“That’s the only [senior] title in the history of Moroccan football, so it’s high time we went for it.”
