South African legend Theophilus Doctorson Khumalo believes Morocco stand a chance of winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.
The Atlas Lions are into the semifinals of the continental showpiece after securing a 2-0 victory over Cameroon in a high-stake quarterfinals clash on Friday.
Khumalo, who won the AFCON trophy with Bafana Bafana 30 years ago, said the standard in the 35th edition of the biennial spectacle held in is much higher than it was in Ivory Coast.
And according to him, Moroccan can annex the title if they are able to maintain their performance at the tournament.
“You know I must say it’s a total different AFCON than the one that was in Ivory Coast,” said Khumalo on African Five-a-Side podcast.
“And the reason why I’m saying that big teams, big countries have actually stepped up their game, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Benin, Cameroon, Egypt, even Morocco, because remember Morocco were knocked out by South Africa in 2023. But obvious as a home country that doesn’t qualify the fact that you will be the champions.
“I mean, the game is the teacher. You saw what happened against Tanzania, they scored the goal in the critical phase. So, what does that mean, the game has evolved. Small countries are starting now to challenge the big guns, but answering your question, I think only if they get to play good football, probably the hosts.”
Morocco have now set up a crucial encounter with West African giants Nigeria in the semifinals of the tournament.
