‘Morocco’ eyes group stage at 2025 Morocco Afcon tourney
Tanzania national football team (Taifa Stars) striker Simon Msuva (right) vies for the ball with a Guinean player during the Africa Cup of Nations match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam last Wednesday. Stars won 1-0. PHOTO | MICHAEL MATEMANGA
What you need to know:
- Morocco, who became the first Tanzanian coach to guide the nation to the Afcon finals, plans to review past matches to analyse why Tanzania has struggled to progress to the tournament's later stages.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s national football team (Taifa Stars) interim head coach, Hemed “Morocco” Suleiman, has said his target is to lead Tanzania to the knockout stage, quarterfinals, semifinals, and ultimately the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Morocco, who became the first Tanzanian coach to guide the nation to the Afcon finals, plans to review past matches to analyse why Tanzania has struggled to progress to the tournament's later stages.
He expressed pride in Tanzania’s fourth Afcon qualification but emphasised the importance of aiming higher to position the country prominently on the African and global football stage.
“As I said earlier, it is not an easy task to qualify and be among the 24 nations that will play in the Afcon finals next year. We have played many matches with clear goals, which is why every Tanzanian is proud at this moment.
Being one of the 24 nations is a significant achievement, but we must work hard to reach the knockout stage and eventually the finals,” said Morocco.
He added that preparations for the Afcon finals in Morocco start now, despite over a year remaining before the tournament begins.
Qualified nations
The lineup of 24 nations set to compete in next year’s Afcon is now complete, with Mozambique clinching the final spot after defeating Guinea-Bissau 2-1 last Tuesday.
The tournament will feature a mix of seasoned champions and rising teams eager to make their mark on the continental stage.
Joining Morocco as the host nation are former winners Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, who secured their spots through strong qualifying performances.
Other prominent qualifiers include Nigeria, Tunisia, and South Africa, ensuring the participation of Africa’s football powerhouses.
Teams like DR Congo, Angola, and Gabon make their return, while Botswana’s qualification after a long absence highlights the increasing competitiveness of African football.
Additionally, nations such as Mozambique, Sudan, and Benin fought hard to secure their places, showcasing the diversity of this year’s participants.
Morocco automatically qualifies as the host nation, while traditional football giants Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Algeria, and Senegal, alongside Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt, highlight the tournament’s competitive depth.
