What's happened
Morocco's squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations includes injured captain Achraf Hakimi, who is expected to play. Ivory Coast's Zaha is included after previous exclusions. Burkina Faso's Kabore and Rangers' Djiga will miss matches due to AFCON commitments. Cameroon’s new coach Pagou drops key players Aboubakar and Onana, reshaping their squad for the tournament in Morocco.
What's behind the headline?
The inclusion of Hakimi despite injury signals Morocco's prioritization of their star player for the tournament, highlighting their ambition to win a second AFCON. The reshaping of Cameroon’s squad under new coach Pagou indicates a strategic shift, possibly to better align with his vision and tactics. Ivory Coast's Zaha's return reflects the team's desire to strengthen their attacking options after previous struggles. Burkina Faso's absence of key defenders like Kabore and Djiga could impact their defensive stability, especially given their hopes of advancing. Overall, these squad changes underscore the importance of player availability and coaching decisions in shaping tournament outcomes. The tournament's timing amid ongoing regional conflicts and political issues adds complexity, but football remains a unifying force in Africa.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports Morocco's squad includes injured captain Hakimi, with coach Regragui optimistic about his availability. AP News highlights Ivory Coast's inclusion of Zaha after previous exclusions and details Burkina Faso's defensive absences. The Scotsman discusses the impact of AFCON on Scottish clubs, noting players like Kabore and Djiga will miss matches. AP News also covers Cameroon’s squad reshuffle under new coach Pagou, emphasizing the strategic changes and player exclusions. These sources collectively illustrate how squad adjustments are driven by injury, coaching strategies, and tournament priorities, shaping the competitive landscape of AFCON 2025.
How we got here
Morocco is hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with the tournament running from December 21 to January 18. The squad includes injured captain Achraf Hakimi, who is expected to recover in time. Other teams, such as Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon, have made significant squad adjustments ahead of the tournament, influenced by recent coaching changes and player availability. The tournament is a key event in African football, with teams vying for their second AFCON title.
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The CAF Africa Cup of Nations, officially CAN, also referred to as AFCON, or Total Africa Cup of Nations after its headline sponsor, is the main international men's association football competition in Africa.
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Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, with land borders with Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to th