Morocco vs Comoros live: Hosts face smaller teams in opening game of 2025 Afcon

The Independent’s Jamie Braidwood has put together a guide to this year’s Afcon, covering everything you need to know, from the key fixtures and groups to the pre-tournament controversy.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is likely to miss the opening match as he recovers from an ankle injury, while Hamza Ighmane and Sofiane Amrabat are also likely to miss the match.

Comoros boss Stefano Cousin has a full squad to choose from, with qualifying top scorers Youssef M’Changama and Rafiki Saeed expected to feature in attack and experienced striker El Fardou Ben Nabouhain potentially leading the line.

35th edition of Africa Cup of Nations Hosts Morocco will face Comoros in the tournament opener in Rabat on Sunday.

The last time Ivory Coast were champions, they won the Afcon on home soil after an extraordinary campaign where the Elephants fired their manager midway through the tournament and came on the verge of a group stage exit before winning the trophy against Nigeria in the final.

Could history repeat itself after two years? Well, Morocco is the favorite team before the tournament. The Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals three years ago. If the extraordinary support they have received in Qatar is anything to go by, Morocco will have a huge home advantage – although this could lead to a stifling pressure of expectation as they aim to win their first Afcon title since 1976.

Hello and welcome The Independent’s Live coverage of tonight’s opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Hosts Morocco face Comoros in the opening match of AFCON 2025, with Walid Regragui’s side hoping to make a fast start as they search for a second-ever AFCON title.

Comoros, Africa’s third-smallest country, is making its second AFCON appearance, reaching the knockout rounds for the first time in 2021.