Hosts Morocco seal AFCON opener on stellar goal

Host Morocco opened the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 with a 2-0 win over Comoros at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday.

Artists perform during the opening ceremony ahead of the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 between Morocco and Comoros in Rabat, Morocco, Dec. 21, 2025. (Photo by Aissa/Xinhua)

Second-half goals from Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi gave Morocco a controlled start and sent it top of Group A ahead of the meeting between Mali and Zambia.

The 24-team tournament is being played across nine stadiums in six Moroccan cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Agadir, Fes and Marrakech.

The top two teams in each group, along with the four best third-placed sides, advance to the round of 16.