Morocco vs Comoros Afcon: Hosts Favorites to Open campaign with a Win

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off with hosts Morocco taking on Comoros in the opening match of Group A. As one of the tournament favorites and the host nation, Morocco enters this tie under intense expectation to set the tone for their campaign.

Morocco: Title Aspirants on Home Soil

Morocco arrives at AFCON 2025 as one of the strongest teams on the continent, currently holding an extended winning streak and boasting a deep squad with experience at the highest levels of international and club football. Recent preparations have been sharp, including a competitive run of fixtures and high-intensity training sessions in the lead-up to the tournament.

The Atlas Lions’ strengths lie in a balanced squad blending defensive prowess with creative and goal-threatening attackers. They have previously recorded convincing wins over Comoros in recent meetings, including a 3-1 victory at the Arab Cup earlier in December 2025.

Key Players for Morocco

• Achraf Hakimi – dynamic full-back and African Player of the Year contender.

• Brahim Díaz – creative attacker with strong link-up play.

• Youssef En-Nesyri – clinical striker who poses a consistent finishing threat.

Expectations and Pressure

Hosting the tournament adds both advantage and pressure. Morocco has invested heavily in infrastructure and fan expectations are sky-high, with coach Walid Regragui stressing the imperative of strong performances on home soil.

Comoros: The Underdog with Nothing to Lose

Comoros enters the tournament as relative underdogs. Placed in a challenging group alongside Morocco, Mali, and Zambia, this island nation has made incremental improvements on the continental scene and will look to build from the confidence of previous AFCON campaigns. Their coach has publicly stated the team approaches this opening fixture with “no fear” despite the gulf in experience and resources compared to the hosts.

Tactical Themes: Morocco vs Comoros afcon 2025

• Morocco’s Approach: Expect the Atlas Lions to control possession, use wide play to stretch the Comoros defence, and exploit transitional moments quickly. Their bench depth provides flexibility to manage the match tempo.

• Comoros’ Strategy: A disciplined defensive block with quick breaks on the counter could be key for Comoros, backed by a fearless mindset despite the odds.

Historical Context & Head-to-Head

The two teams have met four times previously, with Morocco winning three and one draw recorded. This recent history suggests a competitive imbalance, but on the continent stage anything can happen if Comoros execute a resilient performance.

Prediction Summary

The Morocco vs Comoros Afcon opening match projects a comfortable win for Morocco, leveraging home advantage, squad quality, and deep attacking options. Comoros, while spirited and improving, are viewed as the underdogs expected to focus on discipline and resilience.