The excitement for the Africa Cup of Nations is building as the tournament is now underway in Morocco! Saturday, December 21, 2025, marked the kickoff of the Africa Cup of Nations with a thrilling opening match between the host nation, Morocco vs Comoros in Rabat. Let’s explore everything you need to know about AFCON 2025 as the tournament unfolds.
Brief Overview of the Africa Cup of Nations
The AFCON tournament continues to grow in popularity each year, captivating football fans in Kenya and across the globe. As the pinnacle of African football, AFCON plays a crucial role in shining a spotlight on the continent’s incredible talent. When the competition begins, supporters from Europe, Asia, America, and beyond tune in to watch renowned stars who also represent their favorite clubs.
AFCON delivers more than exceptional football. It’s a vibrant celebration of African culture and heritage. Teams proudly display their traditional attire during photo sessions, while fans arrive at matches adorned with cultural face paint and dance to traditional music. The atmosphere often resembles a grand carnival that unites and celebrates Africa’s rich diversity.
Best Football Betting Sites in Kenya for AFCON
When and Where will be AFCON 2025-2026
Morocco is hosting the 35th AFCON from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026. This edition marks a historic first as the tournament takes place over the Christmas and New Year period. This scheduling change was prompted by FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup occupying the traditional summer slot.
Speaking of the host nation, Morocco is one of Africa’s most respected football powers, having won the African Cup of Nations once in 1976. The country has experienced a remarkable resurgence in recent years, most notably reaching the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This was a historic achievement that captured global attention. Morocco has produced exceptional talent including Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, and Youssef En-Nesyri.
This is Morocco’s second time hosting the tournament, having previously done so in 1988. The nation was originally scheduled to host in 2015 but withdrew due to concerns about the Ebola epidemic.
Hosting Stadiums
Nine world-class stadiums across six Moroccan cities are hosting the matches. These venues feature modern facilities and impressive capacities, providing the perfect stage for Africa’s premier tournament. Here are the AFCON 2025 stadiums:
Where to Watch AFCON on TV
Kenyan football fans can catch all the AFCON 2025 action through multiple broadcasting options. SuperSport holds broadcasting rights and will air all 52 matches live across their channels. Startimes also provides comprehensive coverage for subscribers.
Additionally, beIN SPORTS and other international broadcasters are showing the tournament worldwide. Kenyan fans can subscribe to these services to ensure they don’t miss any of the excitement from Morocco.
Which teams have qualified for AFCON 2025
Twenty-four teams are competing in AFCON 2025. Here are the qualified nations:
Teams
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Comoros
- Cameroon
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gabon
- Ivory Coast
- Mali
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Notable Absences: Four-time champions Ghana failed to qualify for the first time since 2004, finishing bottom of their qualification group. This was a shocking outcome for one of Africa’s football giants.
AFCON 2025 Fixtures
The tournament kicked off with hosts Morocco facing Comoros in Rabat. Here’s the complete group stage fixture schedule (all times shown are in East Africa Time):
Group A
| Date | Match | Time |
| 21.12 | Morocco vs Comoros | 9 pm |
| 22.12 | Mali vs South Africa | 3 pm |
| 22.12 | South Africa vs Zimbabwe | 9 pm |
| 26.12 | Morocco vs Mali | 9 pm |
| 26.12 | Comoros vs Zimbabwe | 6 pm |
| 30.12 | South Africa vs Morocco | 9 pm |
| 30.12 | Mali vs Comoros | 9 pm |
Group B
| Date | Match | Time |
| 22.12 | Egypt vs Mozambique | 9 pm |
| 23.12 | DR Congo vs Tanzania | 3 pm |
| 23.12 | Tanzania vs Guinea | 9 pm |
| 27.12 | Egypt vs DR Congo | 9 pm |
| 27.12 | Mozambique vs Ghana | 6 pm |
| 31.12 | Guinea vs Egypt | 9 pm |
| 31.12 | DR Congo vs Mozambique | 9 pm |
Group C
| Date | Match | Time |
| 23.12 | Senegal vs Cameroon | 9 pm |
| 24.12 | Gabon vs Central African Republic | 3 pm |
| 24.12 | Cameroon vs Zimbabwe | 9 pm |
| 28.12 | Senegal vs Gabon | 6 pm |
| 28.12 | Cameroon vs Namibia | 9 pm |
| 01.01 | Namibia vs Senegal | 9 pm |
| 01.01 | Zimbabwe vs Cameroon | 9 pm |
Group D
| Date | Match | Time |
| 24.12 | Algeria vs Equatorial Guinea | 9 pm |
| 25.12 | Burkina Faso vs Sudan | 3 pm |
| 25.12 | Sudan vs Angola | 9 pm |
| 29.12 | Algeria vs Sudan | 6 pm |
| 29.12 | Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea | 9 pm |
| 02.01 | Angola vs Algeria | 9 pm |
| 02.01 | Equatorial Guinea vs Burkina Faso | 9 pm |
Group E
| Date | Match | Time |
| 25.12 | Tunisia vs Gambia | 9 pm |
| 26.12 | Uganda vs South Africa | 3 pm |
| 26.12 | South Africa vs Benin | 9 pm |
| 30.12 | Tunisia vs Uganda | 6 pm |
| 30.12 | Gambia vs Benin | 9 pm |
| 03.01 | Benin vs Tunisia | 9 pm |
| 03.01 | South Africa vs Gambia | 9 pm |
Group F
| Date | Match | Time |
| 26.12 | Botswana vs Mauritania | 9 pm |
| 27.12 | Nigeria vs Tunisia | 3 pm |
| 27.12 | Tunisia vs Ivory Coast | 9 pm |
| 31.12 | Botswana vs Nigeria | 6 pm |
| 31.12 | Mauritania vs Ivory Coast | 9 pm |
| 04.01 | Ivory Coast vs Botswana | 9 pm |
| 04.01 | Tunisia vs Mauritania | 9 pm |
Knockout Stage Dates:
- Round of 16: January 5-8, 2026
- Quarter-finals: January 11-12, 2026
- Semi-finals: January 15-16, 2026
- Final: January 18, 2026
AFCON 2025 Favorite Players
The tournament showcases exceptional talent from across the continent. Here are some standout players expected to make their mark:
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
The 2023 African Player of the Year and Galatasaray striker brings his world-class finishing to the tournament. After his heroics in leading Napoli to the Serie A title, Osimhen aims to deliver Nigeria’s first AFCON crown since 2013. His pace, power, and eye for goal make him one of the tournament’s most dangerous forwards.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Egypt’s captain and Liverpool superstar remains one of the world’s elite players. Mohamed Salah is determined to lead Egypt to their first AFCON title since 2010, having come close as runners-up in 2017 and 2021. His experience, clinical finishing, and leadership make Egypt genuine contenders.
André Onana (Cameroon)
Manchester United’s goalkeeper brings world-class shot-stopping and distribution to Cameroon. Despite previous controversies with the national team, Onana’s return strengthens the Indomitable Lions’ championship aspirations.
Sadio Mane (Senegal)
The Al Nassr forward seeks to defend Senegal’s AFCON crown. After winning the 2021 edition and being named tournament MVP, Mané remains pivotal to Senegal’s success. His experience, versatility, and big-game mentality make him a constant threat.
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
The Algerian national team captain, Riyad Mahrez, will aim to lead his country to yet another AFCON title. After an underwhelming outing during the 2021 edition, he and his country will look to bounce back. He’ll aim to be at the center of the action for his country during the tournament, just like he was when they won the 2019 edition.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
The Paris Saint-Germain star and Morocco captain is the face of the host nation’s campaign. Fresh from Morocco’s historic 2022 World Cup semifinal run, Hakimi’s versatility, defensive solidity, and attacking threat from right-back make him crucial to Morocco’s hopes of winning their first AFCON since 1976.
Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast)
The Brighton winger is part of Ivory Coast’s talented squad defending their 2023 championship. Adingra’s pace, dribbling ability, and Premier League experience add an exciting dimension to the Elephants’ attack.
Percy Tau (South Africa)
The Al Ahly forward captains South Africa with attacking flair and creative vision. Tau’s experience in Egyptian football and ability to score crucial goals make him Bafana Bafana’s key player.
Why Kenya is Not Joining AFCON 2025
Kenya did not qualify for AFCON 2025 after a disappointing qualifying campaign. The Harambee Stars struggled in their qualification group, finishing outside the qualifying positions. This continues Kenya’s absence from the tournament, as they work to rebuild and develop a competitive squad for future editions.
Kenya football authorities are focused on improving grassroots development, coaching standards, and domestic league quality to enhance the national team’s competitiveness in future AFCON qualification campaigns.
How to Bet on AFCON 2025 from Kenya
Betting on the AFCON 2025 games with Kenya’s best betting websites is easy. Follow these steps:
- Choose a Reputable Betting Site
Several Kenyan betting sites offer markets and odds on AFCON 2025, but not all are reliable. Choose a site licensed and regulated by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). Also, ensure that they offer generous bonuses and promotions.
- Register and Deposit
After choosing an AFCON 2025 betting site, register and create an account by supplying the necessary details. Once your account is ready, you can deposit some money into it.
- Place Your Bets
Browse through the site and make your preferred bets. Some platforms have a dedicated section for the AFCON 2025, where you can choose from the various betting options. Here are some popular betting markets for Kenya football betting during the tournament:
– Group stage and competition winners: You can bet on the countries you think will win each group and the overall winners in the AFCON 2025 competition.
– Award winners: Some betting sites allow you to predict players that’ll win the various tournament awards. You can predict winners of the golden glove, top scorer, and best young player.
– Game results: Bet on the outcome of the various matches during the AFCON 2025. Up to 52 games are set to occur during the competition, and you can bet on the results of each one.
– Totals: You can bet on the number of goals, cards, and corners played in a game. Other betting options include over/under, handicaps, and more.
AFCON History
Established in 1957 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Africa Cup of Nations remains Africa’s oldest and most prestigious football competition. The inaugural tournament in Sudan featured just three teams: Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan, with Egypt claiming the first championship by defeating Ethiopia 4-0.
The tournament has evolved significantly over the decades. Starting with three participants, it expanded to nine teams in 1962, then 16 teams, and currently accommodates 24 nations. This growth has made AFCON more competitive and inclusive, allowing more African countries to showcase their talent on the continental stage.
Recent Winners
Ivory Coast enters AFCON 2025 as defending champions, having won the 2023 edition (held in 2024) with a remarkable comeback victory over Nigeria in the final.
| Year | Winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Egypt | Ethiopia |
| 1959 | Egypt | Sudan |
| 1962 | Ethiopia | Egypt |
| 1963 | Ghana | Sudan |
| 1965 | Ghana | Tunisia |
| 1968 | Congo | Ghana |
| 1970 | Sudan | Ghana |
| 1972 | Congo | Mali |
| 1974 | Zaire | Zambia |
| 1976 | Morocco | Guinea |
| 1978 | Ghana | Uganda |
| 1980 | Nigeria | Algeria |
| 1982 | Ghana | Libya |
| 1984 | Cameroon | Nigeria |
| 1986 | Egypt | Cameroon |
| 1988 | Cameroon | Nigeria |
| 1990 | Algeria | Nigeria |
| 1992 | Ivory Coast | Ghana |
| 1994 | Nigeria | Zambia |
| 1996 | South Africa | Tunisia |
| 1998 | Egypt | South Africa |
| 2000 | Cameroon | Nigeria |
| 2002 | Cameroon | Senegal |
| 2004 | Tunisia | Morocco |
| 2006 | Egypt | Ivory Coast |
| 2008 | Egypt | Cameroon |
| 2010 | Egypt | Ghana |
| 2012 | Zambia | Ivory Coast |
| 2013 | Nigeria | Burkina Faso |
| 2015 | Ivory Coast | Ghana |
| 2017 | Cameroon | Egypt |
| 2019 | Algeria | Senegal |
| 2021 | Senegal | Egypt |
Important Achievements
The AFCON has also witnessed some of the most memorable and historic moments in African football. Here are some of them:
Egypt’s Dominance
Egypt holds the record as the most successful nation in AFCON history with seven titles (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010). Their unprecedented three consecutive championships from 2006-2010 showcased their dominance during that era.
Cameroonian Excellence
Cameroon has claimed five AFCON titles and reached the final eight times, demonstrating consistent excellence. Legendary striker Samuel Eto’o remains the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 18 goals.
Recent upsets
Recent tournaments have featured remarkable stories, including Zambia’s emotional 2012 victory and Senegal’s maiden title in 2021 after decades of near-misses.
Tournament Innovations for 2025
Tournament Mascot
The official mascot, Assad (Arabic for “lion”), was unveiled in December 2025. The Barbary lion represents Morocco’s national symbol and the Atlas Lions nickname of the national team.
Official Match Ball
CAF and Puma introduced “Itri” (meaning “star” in Amazigh) as the official tournament ball. The design features traditional Moroccan zellij art in red and green, incorporating geometric patterns that celebrate African unity and Morocco’s cultural heritage.
Prize Money
The tournament winner will receive $10 million. This is an increase from the $7 million awarded in 2023, reflecting AFCON’s growing commercial value and prestige.
Conclusion
AFCON 2025 is delivering spectacular football, passionate fan engagement, and unforgettable moments across Morocco. With 24 elite teams competing, world-class talent on display, and the tournament’s first-ever Christmas period scheduling, this edition promises to be historic.
Kenyan fans can enjoy comprehensive coverage through SuperSport and Startimes, ensuring they don’t miss any action. The combination of Morocco’s excellent hosting infrastructure, the tournament’s unpredictable nature, and the presence of global superstars guarantees entertainment through to the final on January 18, 2026.
Whether you’re supporting defending champions Ivory Coast, cheering for hosts Morocco, or backing your favorite players and teams, AFCON 2025 offers betting opportunities, cultural celebration, and world-class African football at its finest.
FAQs
- How to watch AFCON 2025 matches in Kenya?
- When is AFCON 2025?
- Why is Kenya not playing in AFCON 2025?
- Who are the favorites to win AFCON 2025?
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