Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco's coach, Walid Regragui, has unveiled a formidable 28-man squad as the Atlas Lions gear up to host the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, kicking off in just ten days.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Host Morocco named a star-studded final AFCON squad

Morocco's coach, Walid Regragui, has unveiled a formidable 28-man squad as the Atlas Lions gear up to host the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, kicking off in just ten days.

The squad, revealed on Thursday, boasts some of the nation’s brightest stars, including Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat, and striker Youssef En-Nesyri.

Hakimi is recovering from a serious ankle injury and may miss the opening matches, but Regragui values his leadership. Morocco enters the tournament as the favourites, aiming for their first title since 1976 after a record 18 consecutive victories.

With continuity and tactical flexibility, the squad features key players from the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. Defensive leaders Romain Saïss and Nayef Aguerd return, joined by rising star Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal.

The full-back lineup includes Noussair Mazraoui, Adam Masina, and young Anass Salah-Eddine. In midfield, the team relies on talents like Azzedine Ounahi and Sofyan Amrabat, while the attack is led by Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaabi, supported by creative wingers like Brahim Diaz.

However, Sofiane Diop is notably absent, and Hamza Igamane is on the reserve list due to injury. With the tournament hosted in Morocco, expectations are high.

Regragui knows lifting the trophy in Rabat on January 18 is the only acceptable outcome. In Group A, Morocco will compete against Comoros, Mali, and Zambia for continental glory.

Goalkeepers: Munir El Kajoui, Yassine Bounou and El Mehdi Al Harrar

Défenders: Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Chibi, Jawad El Yamiq, Romain Saïss, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, Nayef Aguerd, Adam Masina, Noussair Mazraoui and Anas Salah-Eddine

Midfielders: Oussama Targhalline, Sofyan Amrabat, Ismael Saibari, Neil El Aynaoui, Bilal El Khannouss and Azzedine Ounahi

Forwards: Brahim Diaz, Ilias Akhomach, Chemsdine Talbi, Youssef En-Nesyri, Ayoub El Kaabi, Soufiane Rahimi,  Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Eliesse Ben Seghir

Reserve Players

  • Youssef Belammari

  • Hamza Igamane

Les Coelacantes of Comoros rally troops for AFCON 2025 tournament
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Les Coelacantes of Comoros rally troops for AFCON 2025 tournament

Comoros has named its final 26-man squad for the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Head coach Stefano Cusin has retained most players from the AFCON and 2026 World Cup qualifiers, emphasizing stability as Comoros seeks to become one of Africa's rising teams.

Cusin has also added two new players: Zaid Amir and Yannis Kari. Both players performed well at the 2025 Arab Cup with the Comoros A’ team and are making their first appearances in a senior tournament.

The squad includes key players like midfielder Youssouf M’Changama, who plays a vital role in the team’s creative efforts, and forward Faïz Selemani, known for his strong attacking abilities. Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor returns, joined by Ben Salim Boina and Adel Anzimati, who have been reliable throughout the qualification process.

On defence, Cusin has mixed experienced players like Kassim M’Dahoma and Akim Abdallah with younger talents Idriss Mohamed, Kenan Toibibou, and Ismaël Boura, bringing new energy to the team.

Comoros, which reached the AFCON knockout stages in 2021, will compete in Group A against hosts Morocco, Mali, and Zambia. They will start their campaign against Morocco on December 21 in Casablanca, a tough match that Cusin believes can inspire the team for the rest of the group stage.

The team will prepare for the tournament with friendly matches against Gambia and Madagascar.

FULL COMOROS SQUAD FOR AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers
  • Yannick Pandor (Royal Francs Borains)
  • Ben Salim Boina (Istres FC)
  • Adel Anzimati (FC Ararat Erevan)
Defenders
  • Kassim M’Dahoma (SC Aubagne Air Bel)
  • Ahmed Soilihi (SC Toulon)
  • Idriss Mohamed (Le Puy Foot 43)
  • Kenan Toibibou (NK Bravo)
  • Akim Abdallah (EA Guingamp)
  • Ismaël Boura (ESTAC Troyes)
  • Yannis Kari (Fréjus Saint-Raphaël)
  • Saïd Bakary (Sparta Rotterdam)
Midfielders
  • Yacine Bourhane (Aris Limassol)
  • Iyad Mohamed (Casa Pia AC)
  • Raouf Mroivili (FC Villefranche)
  • Youssouf M’Changama (Al-Batin)
  • Rayan Lutin (Amiens SC)
  • Youssouf Bendjaloud (FC Sochaux)
  • Rémy Vita (CD Tondela)
  • Youssouf Zaydou (Al-Fateh SC)
Forwards
  • Rafiki Saïd (Standard Liège)
  • Amir Zaïd (Istres FC)
  • Faïz Selemani (Qatar SC)
  • El Fardou Ben Nabouhane (FK Zemun)
  • Myziane Maolida (Al-Kholood Club)
  • Ahmed Aymeric (LB Châteauroux)
  • Ali Aboubcar (Royal Francs Borains)
Zambia's Chipolopolo ready for Cup of Nations as Daka leads squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zambia’s Chipolopolo ready for Cup of Nations as Daka leads squad

Zambia’s final squad for the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations has been announced by coach Moses Sichone, showcasing a mix of promising local talent and seasoned international players. The tournament will take place in Morocco later this month.

The squad features exciting newcomers, including Matthews Banda, Given Kalusa, Pascal Phiri, and Eliya Mandanji from Zanaco, all earning their first senior call-ups after strong domestic performances.

Coach Sichone has also revamped the goalkeeping lineup with three uncapped keepers: Lawrence Mulenga, Francis Mwansa, and Willard Mwanza.

Leading the overseas players is striker Patson Daka, joined by Jack Kalichi Lahne from Austria, who scored on his debut last FIFA window. Other international talents include Joseph Liteta (Cagliari), Kings Kangwa (Maccabi Be’er Sheva), and Lameck Banda (Lecce).

Zambia’s final preparation occurs in Murcia, Spain, from December 11 to 17, with foreign players expected to join after December 15.

In the tournament, Zambia to face Morocco on December 21, Mali on December 26, and Comoros on December 30 in a challenging Group A.

Standby players Jonathan Kalimina and Abel Nyirongo, standout performers from the U17 World Cup, will be ready to step in if needed. The squad has been finalised at 28 players after narrowing down from an initial list of 55.

Zambia’s final 28-man squad for AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers – Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Francis Mwansa (Zanaco) and Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos)

Defenders: Stopilla Sunzu (Changchun, China), Frankie Musonda (Bahrain SC), Kabaso Chongo (Zesco United), Matthews Banda (Nkana), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Gift Mphande (Zesco United), Obino Chisala (Al-Merikh SC, Sudan), David Hamasenya (Leganés, Spain)and Benson Sakala (Bohemians 1905, Czech Republic)

Midfielders: Miguel Changa Chaiwa (Hibernian, Scotland), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari, Italy), Kings Kangwa (Maccabi Be’er Sheva, Israel), Given Kalusa (FC MUZA), David Simukonda (Zesco United), Wilson Chisala (Zanaco), Joseph Sabobo Banda (Maccabi Be’er Sheva, Israel), Lameck Banda (Lecce, Italy), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha, Saudi Arabia), Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg, Germany) and Pascal Phiri (Zesco United)

Strikers: Patson Daka (Leicester City, England), Jack Lahne Kalichi (Austria Lustenau, Austria), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan, Israel) and Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco)

Algeria reach FIFA Arab Cup quarter-finals, Egypt eliminated
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Algeria reach FIFA Arab Cup quarter-finals, Egypt eliminated

Algeria won 2-0 against Iraq on December 9 during the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar as fellow North African side Egypt were eliminated.

They needed just a draw to reach the quarter-finals, but performed better to top Group D. Algeria benefited when Iraq’s Hussein Ali was sent off in the fifth minute. They scored their first goal just before half-time.

Redouane Berkane headed a free-kick back across the goal, where Mohamed Amine Tougai finished it with a header. Later, a mistake between Iraq’s goalkeeper Fahad Talib and defender Saad Natiq led to an own goal that confirmed Algeria’s win.

As group winners, Algeria will play against the UAE, while Iraq will face Jordan in the quarter-finals.

Egypt 0-3 Jordan

Jordan defeated Egypt in the FIFA Arab Cup, concluding Egypt’s campaign without a win.

The match took place at Al Bayt Stadium, with Jordan scoring through Mohammad Abuhasheesh (19 minutes) and Mohammad Abu Zraiq (41 minutes).

Abu Zraiq was named Player of the Match. Jordan had a third goal disallowed for handball, while Egypt nearly scored but hit the post. The victory was sealed in added time by Ali Olwan, who scored a penalty following a foul in the box.

Wilfried Zaha returns to Côte d’Ivoire squad for Cup of Nations
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Wilfried Zaha returns to Côte d’Ivoire squad for Cup of Nations

Wilfried Zaha has been named to coach Emerse Faé's 26-man squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations while Simon Adingra is left out.

The announcement was made on Tuesday as the defending champions confirmed their selection for Morocco.  Zaha, at 33, returns after nearly two years, following a strong season with Charlotte FC in MLS, where he scored 10 goals and assisted six times.  

Faé aims to blend experience with young talent as they seek to defend the title they won in 2024. Discussions with Zaha had been ongoing for months, and his recent form aligns with the team’s attacking needs.  

Jean-Michaël Seri also returns after a long injury layoff.  

Younger players like Yan Diomandé, Amad Diallo, and Bazoumana Touré remain in the squad, reflecting Faé’s strategy to refresh the team.  

Adingra’s notable exclusion is due to limited playing time at Sunderland this season, along with the absence of Nicolas Pépé, Jérémie Boga, and Clément Akpa.  

Torino’s Wilfried Singo is out due to injury. The squad includes two reserves, Parfait Guiagon and Evann Guessand, on standby for any withdrawals.  

Côte d’Ivoire will compete in Group F with Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique, and Faé hopes the squad’s mix will lead to a strong performance in Morocco.  

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Yahia Fofana (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Mohamed Koné (Charleroi SC, Belgium), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos, Greece)

DEFENDERS: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Boly Willy (Nottingham Forest, England), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP, Portugal), Guela Doué (RC Strasbourg, France), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente, Portugal), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta BC, Italy), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma, Italy), Christopher Operi (Istanbul Başakşehir, Turkey), Armel Zohouri (FC Iberia 1999, Georgia)

MIDFIELDERS: Seko Fofana (Stade Rennais, France), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (FC Metz, France), Christ Inao Oulaï (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia), Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest, England), Jean-Michael Seri (NK Maribor FC, Slovenia)

FORWARDS: Vakoun Bayo (Udinese Calcio, Italy), Oumar Diakité (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Amad Diallo (Manchester United, England), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig, Germany), Sébastien Haller (FC Utrecht, Netherlands), Jean-Philippe Krasso (Paris FC, France), Bazoumana Touré (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany), Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte FC, United States)

STANDBY: Guessand Evann (Aston Villa, England), Guiagon Parfait (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium)