Morocco to kick off AFCON 2025 against Comoros with unbeaten head-to-head record

Morocco will launch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday evening when the host nation faces Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat at 20:00 local time.

Historical data shows that Morocco has never lost to the Comoros, including a 2–0 group-stage win during AFCON 2021.  Morocco and Comoros have met four times previously, with Morocco winning three matches and one ending in a draw.

The Lions of the Atlas enter the tournament on the back of an impressive streak, remaining unbeaten in their last 11 AFCON group matches.

Morocco has also won its opening game in each of the past three editions, continuing a long-standing trend in which host nations have avoided defeat in their opening match since 1998, CAF revealed on Friday.

Having won the continental title in 1976 and reaching the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco arrives in peak form. The team finished qualification with a perfect record, scoring 26 goals and conceding only two, with Brahim Díaz emerging as the top scorer.

The combination of tactical discipline and attacking firepower has positioned Morocco as one of the favourites to lift the trophy on home soil.

Comoros, making only their second AFCON appearance, also qualified undefeated, highlighting the rapid progress of the archipelago nation. They will face a host country in consecutive tournaments, having previously been eliminated by Cameroon in the round of 16 at AFCON 2021.

The team’s compact defensive structure and counter-attacking approach will be tested against Morocco’s experienced lineup.

CAF statistics underscore the challenge facing Comoros: host nations with Morocco’s recent record have historically dominated opening matches, and the Lions of the Atlas will aim to extend their unbeaten streak and set a strong tone for the tournament.

Fans in Rabat are expected to pack the stadium, creating a charged atmosphere as the host nation seeks to combine home advantage with its rich footballing pedigree.

Sunday’s encounter marks the official start of a month-long tournament that promises intense competition, with Morocco keen to translate its historic form and home support into a successful campaign in front of an expectant domestic crowd.