Morocco fans demand victory at home for CAN 2025

The objective for Morocco is crystal clear: they must secure the trophy or face total disappointment. Having waited nearly half a century for a Coupe d’Afrique des nations title, Moroccan supporters are losing their patience. Following their historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the logical progression for the Lions de l’Atlas was to dominate their own continent.

However, a setback at the previous CAN, which ended in an unexpected round-of-16 exit against South Africa, disrupted those ambitions. Now, the time for redemption has arrived, especially with the tournament being held on home soil. The early departure of Achraf Hakimi and his teammates last year was a bitter pill for the nation to swallow.

Ibrahim, a 20-year-old supporter, is desperate to avoid a repeat of that heartbreak. “It is unacceptable for a football powerhouse like ours to have won the CAN only once, and that was 49 years ago,” he stated. “We are currently witnessing the golden era of our national team; another early exit would be a catastrophe after the events of 2024.”

“The squad is stronger than ever”

Currently studying sports management in Ottawa, Canada, the Lions de l’Atlas fan vividly remembers the jubilant scenes in his hometown of Casablanca when Morocco reached the World Cup semi-finals. While those emotions were once a dream, they are now the baseline expectation for CAN 2025.

“Moroccan fans have much higher standards now,” Ibrahim explains. “We expect to win the CAN, and we expect to do it with style. We have the talent, so there are no excuses. Anything less than a championship win is a failure.”

Despite their confidence, supporters were briefly worried on November 4. Achraf Hakimi was forced off the pitch in tears at the Parc des Princes after a heavy challenge. The diagnosis of a severe left ankle sprain suggested a 6 to 8-week recovery period, sparking fears he might miss the tournament. However, Ibrahim remains optimistic about the team’s depth.

“The national team is better than it was during the last CAN, even with the concerns surrounding Achraf Hakimi,” says the fan, who also keeps an eye on Zakaria El Ouahdi. “Hakimi is vital, but we have the resources to cover his position. The roster is well-balanced with a mix of emerging talents and seasoned veterans.”

Fans of the 2025 African Ballon d’Or winner can breathe a sigh of relief, as he is expected to be fit for the opening match against the Comores.

A nation in football fever

This event marks a massive milestone for Morocco, which has not hosted the tournament in 37 years. Despite technical glitches with the ticketing system, approximately 140,000 seats were sold within the first 24 hours. Ibrahim, returning from the Canadian cold, will be among those in the stands.

“This is the first major international tournament I’ll be able to attend in person,” says the young man, who plans to watch the clash between Sénégal and the Democratic Republic of Congo on December 27 in Tanger. “The last time Morocco hosted was in 1988… we are lucky to experience this at home.” The entire country is counting down to the kickoff on December 21 in Rabat, a moment that will be covered extensively by Sahel Express news and other regional outlets monitoring West Africa Sahel football trends.