• RealMadrid midfielder Díaz

Morocco kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a comfortable 2–0 victory over minnows Comoros in the tournament’s opening match on Sunday in Rabat.

Second-half goals from Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi sealed all three points for the Atlas Lions in a rain-soaked encounter at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The host nation dominated the first half but were left frustrated when Soufiane Rahimi saw his penalty saved, as the hosts struggled to convert their superiority into goals before the break.

The deadlock was finally broken 10 minutes into the second half when Real Madrid midfielder Díaz fired home from close range, sending the majority of the 60,180-strong crowd into raptures.

The match then opened up, with Comoros forward Rafiki Saïd denied by the legs of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. At the same time, Noussair Mazraoui forced a fine save from Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor at the other end.

Substitute El Kaabi put the result beyond doubt with a spectacular overhead kick 15 minutes from time, ensuring Walid Regragui’s side lived up to pre-match expectations on a wet and cold night in the Moroccan capital.

Morocco will face Mali in their next group match on Friday. Mali begin their AFCON campaign against Zambia in Casablanca on Monday.

Afrobeats singer Davido has demonstrated his unwavering support for the Super Eagles, staking $25,000 (approximately N36 million) on Nigeria’s opening Group C match against Tanzania at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

The Super Eagles will face Tanzanian on December 23 at the Complex Sportif de Fes in Morocco, marking Nigeria’s quest for a fourth AFCON title.

The singer shared a snapshot of his betting slip on his X page, predicting that both teams will score in the match, with a potential payout of $96,564 (about N140 million).

Recall that Davido has previously wagered $10,000 on Nigeria’s World Cup playoff match against Gabon, which the team ultimately lost.

•AFCON cup

The Confederation of African Football president, Patrice Motsepe has revealed that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held every four years after the 2028 edition .

Motsepe told reporters in Rabat on Saturday, that the change was part of a significant restructuring of the international game on the continent to help it fit better into a packed global calendar.

He said : ” An AFCON every two years was a vital source of revenue for African national associations, but Motsepe said the introduction of an annual African Nations League competition — similar to the UEFA Nations League — would now help boost coffers instead.

“Our focus now is on this AFCON but in 2027 we will be going to Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, and the AFCON after that will be in 2028.

“Then after the FIFA Club World Cup in 2029 we will have the first African Nations League… with more prize money, more resources, more competition.

“As part of this arrangement, the AFCON now will take place once every four years.”

AFCON has usually been held at two-year intervals since the very first edition in 1957, but over the last 15 years it has struggled to find a convenient place in the global calendar.