Former Morocco international Marouane Chamakh has openly expressed his desire to see Algeria eliminated early from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be hosted in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Speaking on Egyptian channel ON Time Sport, the ex-Atlas Lions striker, who earned 62 caps and scored 17 goals for Morocco, admitted he does not want his country to face their North African rivals in the knockout stages.
I am extremely happy that this competition is taking place in Morocco.
It is a great source of pride for our country,” Chamakh said. “We must win this AFCON at home—it is an obligation to make history.
I hope that Algeria will be eliminated and that we will not meet them in the final stages.
The long-standing football rivalry between Morocco and Algeria has been highlighted in previous editions of the tournament.
The two nations have met five times in AFCON history, with an even record—two wins each and one draw.
Their most memorable encounter came in 2004 when Algeria was knocked out in the quarter-finals after a 3-1 defeat to Morocco.
Morocco, crowned champions once in 1976, have never lifted the trophy on home soil.
With the tournament returning to Moroccan territory, the Atlas Lions are under pressure to deliver a historic triumph.
