By McGeorge Mbare
EXCITEMENT, anxiety and hope!
That is what is building across Africa ahead of continental showpiece of senior men’s soccer tournament.
The opening match of the 35th edition of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco brings with it a wave of anticipation, innovation and promise.
It is Africa’s flagship football competition returns for another historic chapter.
Host nation, Morocco, get the tournament underway on Sunday,December 21 when they face Comoros in Group A.
Following their 1976 championship, The Atlas Lions looks to secure their pathway to achieve their dream of being the champions of the African soil, while Comoros are on the hunt to secure their first ever AFCON title.
Fresh from their dramatic triumph on home soil, Cote d’Ivoire, crowned champions after defeating Nigeria in the 2023 final, arrive in Morocco determined to defend their title.
The Elephants will be chasing a fifth continental crown, which would see them draw level with Ghana, and move closer to the competition’s most decorated nations Egypt, with seven titles, and Cameroon, with five.
Ivory Coast will face the 5 time champions Cameroon ,1992 and 2012 quarter finalist Gabon and Mozambique in group F as they look to defend their title .
The most decorated African giant and seven time winners ,Egypt will be battle agaisnt Zimbabwe on December 22, before the 1996 winners South Africa face the 2008 ,2010 and 2023 quarter finalist Angola in Group B.
Across the continent, expectations are rising.
Traditional heavyweights such as Egypt, and Nigeria are seeking redemption after recent disappointments, while emerging forces such Angola, Gabon, Zimbawe, Mozambique and Mali sense an opportunity to write their own chapter in AFCON history.
Egypt will look at the ace in Muhammed Salah who seeks to prove to his Liverpool team that he is far from being spent.
Salah has followed the steps of Cristiano Ronaldo in an outburst against a coach.
Ronaldo was later proved right, when Eric Ten Hag was later shown the door for lacklustre performance.
Whatever it is, Salah has a long time to prove himself as he takes the Pharaohs into the Moroccan desert.