Group A of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations sets the tone for the tournament, blending home advantage, pedigree, and quiet ambition. Hosts Morocco headline the group, but Mali, Zambia, and Comoros will ensure that progression will demand consistency rather than reputation alone. It is a group rich in tactical intrigue and contrasting football philosophies.
Afrosport previews all four teams that make up the group, with an in-depth look at their AFCON history and record, while also revealing the full squad list of each side.
MOROCCO
Nickname: Atlas Lions
AFCON History
Morocco made its debut in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1972 and achieved a historic milestone by winning their only AFCON title in 1976, remaining unbeaten in a distinct final-group format. Since then, the Atlas Lions have consistently participated in the tournament, often advancing to the knockout stages but falling short of winning the trophy again.
They finished as runners-up once, in 2004, and have reached the semi-finals several times. This track record has established Morocco as one of Africa’s reliable football powers, despite having limited continental silverware.
AFCON Record
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Munir El Kajoui (RS Berkane, Morocco), El Mehdi Al Harrar (Raja CA, Morocco)
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (PSG, France), Mohamed Chibi (Pyramids FC, Egypt), Jawad El Yamiq (Al-Najma SC, Saudi Arabia), Roman Saïss (Al-Sadd SC, Qatar), Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal (Amiens SC, Ligue 2), Nayef Aguerd (Olympique de Marseille), Adam Masina (Torino FC, Italy), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United, England), Anass Salah-Eddine (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands)
Midfielders: Oussama Targhalline (Feyenoord Rotterdam, Netherlands), Sofyan Amrabat (Betis Sevilla, Spain), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Neil El Aynaoui (AS Roma, Italy), Bilal El Khannouss (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Azzedine Ounahi (Girona FC, Spain)
Forwards: Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid, Spain), Ilias Akhomach (Villarreal CF, Spain), Chemsdine Talbi (Sunderland AFC, England), Youssef En-Nesyri (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiakos, Greece), Soufiane Rahimi (Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Betis Seville, Spain), Eliesse Ben Seghir (Monaco, France)
Coach: Walid Regragui
ZAMBIA
Nickname: Chipolopolo (The Copper Bullets)
AFCON History
Zambia debuted in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1974 and quickly became competitive. Their biggest achievement came in 2012 when they won their first AFCON title in Gabon, defeating Ivory Coast 8–7 on penalties under coach Herve Renard. This victory was particularly emotional, occurring near the site of the 1993 air disaster that killed much of the national team.
Zambia were runners-up in 1974 and 1994 and have reached the quarter-finals multiple times. Despite missing some recent tournaments, the Chipolopolo are respected for their resilience and their historic 2012 win, a memorable moment in AFCON history.
AFCON Record
Zambia has a proud AFCON history, highlighted by their 2012 title win, where they defeated Ivory Coast on penalties in Gabon. They were runners-up in 1974 and 1994 and have reached the semifinals multiple times. Despite missing some recent tournaments, Zambia is remembered for their resilience and one of the most emotional victories in AFCON history.
Star player: Patson Daka (Leicester City), Fashion Sakala ( Al-Fayha)
Zambia full squad
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos, Zambia), Francis Mwansa (Zanaco, Zambia), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos, Zambia)
Defenders: Mathews Banda (Nkana, Zambia), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos, Zambia), Obino Chisala (Al Merrikh, Rwanda), Kabaso Chongo (Zesco United, Zambia), David Hamansenya (Leganes, Spain), Gift Mphande (Zesco United, Zambia), Frankie Musonda (Bahrain SC, Bahrain), Benson Sakala (Bohemians 1905, Czech Republic), Stoppila Sunzu (Changchun Yatai, China)
Midfielders: Joseph Sabobo Banda (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Isreal), Lameck Banda (Lecce, Italy), Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian, Scotland), Wilson Chisala (Zanaco, Zambia), Given Kalusa (FC Muza, Zambia), Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Isreal), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari, Italy), Lubambo Musonda (FC Magdeburg, Germany), Pascal Phiri (Zesco United, Zambia), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha, Saudi Arabia), David Simukonda (Zesco United, Zambia), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos, Zambia)
Forwards: Patson Daka (Leicester City, England), Jack Lahne Kalichi (Austria Lustenau, Austria), Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco, Zambia), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan, Israel).
Coach: Moses Sichone (disqualified by CAF)
MALI
Nickname: The Eagles
AFCON History
Mali made their AFCON debut in 1972, finishing as runners-up. They have consistently reached the semi-finals five times (1994, 2002, 2004, 2012, and 2013) but are yet to win the tournament, with a semi-final finish being their best result.
AFCON Record
Mali has never won the Africa Cup of Nations but is one of its most consistent teams. Their best finish was as runners-up in 1972, with five semi-final appearances in 1994, 2002, 2004, 2012, and 2013. The Eagles are known for regularly reaching the knockout stages, earning a reputation as perennial contenders despite lacking a title.
Star player: Kamory Doumbia (Brest FC)
Mali full squad
Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra (Young Africans, Tanzania), Ismael Diawara (IK Sirius, Sweden), Mamadou Samassa (Laval, France)
Defenders: Sikou Niakate (SC Braga, Portugal), Abdoulaye Diaby (Grasshoppers, Switzerland), Woyo Coulibaly (Sassuolo, Italy), Fode Doucoure (Red Star, Serbia), Hamari Traore (Paris FC, France), Ousmane Camara (Angers SCO, France), Mamadou Fofana (New England Revolution, USA), Nathan Bassama (Baltika, Russia), Amadou Dante (Arouca, Portugal)
Midfielders: Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig, Germany), Lassana Coulibaly (Lecce, Italy), Mohamed Camara (Al-Saad, Qatar), Mamadou Sangaré (RC Lens, France), Aliou Dieng (Al-Ahly, Egypt), Yves Bissouma (Tottenham, England), Mahamadou Doumbia (Al-Ittihad, Saudi Arabia), Ibrahima Sissoko (VFL Bochum, Germany)
Forwards: Nene Dorgeles (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Gaoussou Diarra (Feyenoord, Netherlands), El-Bilal Toure (Besiktas, Turkey), Lassine Sinayoko (AJ Auxerre, France), Kamory Doumbia (Brest, France), Mamadou Doumbia (Watford, England), Gaoussou Diakite (Lausanne-Sport, Switzerland), Mamadou Camara (Laval, France)
Coach: Tom Saintfiet
COMOROS
Nickname: The Coelacanths
AFCON History
Comoros made their AFCON debut in 2021, impressively reaching the Round of 16. This marked a historic milestone for the island nation, which had never qualified before. While they missed the 2023 tournament, their competitive debut has established them as one of Africa’s emerging football nations.
AFCON Record
Comoros made a notable AFCON debut in 2021, reaching the Round of 16—a remarkable achievement for a first-time participant. Although they missed the 2023 edition, their 2021 performance is a landmark moment in their AFCON history.
Star player: Zaidou Youssouf (Al-Fateh SC), Rafiki Said (Standard de Liege).
Comoros full squad
Goalkeepers: Yannick Pandor (Francs Borains, Belgium), Salim Ben Boina (Istres, France), Adel Anzimati (FC Ararat, Armenia)
Defenders: Said Bakari (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherland), Kassim M’Dahoma (Aubagne, France), Kenan Toibibou (Bravo, Slovenia), Ahmed Soilihi (Toulon, France), Idris Mohamed (Le Puy, France) Yannis Kari (Frejus Saint Raphael, France), Akim Abdallah (Guingamp, France), Bendjaloud Youssouf (FC Sochaux, France), Remy Vita (CD Tondela, Portugal), Ismael Boura (Troyes, France)
Midfielders: Youssouf M’Changama (Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia), Zaydou Youssouf (Al-Fateh, Saudi Arabia), Rayan Lutin (Amiens, France), Raouf Mroivili (Villefranche, France), Iyad Mohamed (Casa Pia, Portugal), Aymeric Ahmed (Chateauroux, France), Yacine Bourhane (Aris Limassol, Cyprus)
Forwards: Rafiki Said (Standard de Liege, Belgium), Myziane Maolida (Al Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Faiz Selemani (Qatar SC, Qatar), Aboubacar Ali Abdallah (Francs Borains, Belgium), El Fardou Ben Mohamed (Zemun, Serbia), Zaïd Amir (Istres, France)
Coach: Stefano Cusin
