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Hakimi-inspired hosts Morocco emerge team to beat at 2025 AFCON

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Morocco have home advantage, a team that has won a world record 18 consecutive internationals and an inspirational captain in Achraf Hakimi as they seek 2025 Africa Cup of Nations glory.

Expectations are high in the kingdom that the Atlas Lions can lift the most prized football trophy in the continent for only the second time on January 18 — 50 years after last doing so.

But resilient title holders, the Ivory Coast, Mohamed Salah-captained Egypt, Victor Osimhen-inspired Nigeria and Sadio Mane-led Senegal are some of the challengers capable of spoiling the Moroccan dream.

AFP Sport looks at the premier African sports event, from its humble debut in 1957 to a 2025 tournament set to draw huge global TV audiences from the first match on December 21.

Background

Only hosts Sudan, champions Egypt and Ethiopia took part in the 1957 AFCON after South Africa were disqualified for wanting to field either an all-white or all-black team. As time passed, so did the number of qualifiers expand. It was six by 1963, eight five years later, 12 in 1992, then 16 four years on, and Egypt hosted the first 24-team event in 2019.

Giants

Egypt (seven titles), Cameroon (five), Ghana (four), Ivory Coast and Nigeria (three each) have dominated the AFCON, winning 22 of the 34 tournaments between them. Stars like goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, centre-back Wael Gomaa and midfielders Mohamed Aboutreika and Mohamed Barakat helped Egypt win a record three consecutive finals between 2006 and 2010.

Absentees

Ghana and Cape Verde, both 2026 World Cup qualifiers, will be the most notable absentees from the AFCON in Morocco after disastrous qualifying campaigns. Cape Verde managed only one victory in six matches and four-time champions Ghana fared even worse — drawing three matches and losing the other three.

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Favourites

Morocco will be the team to beat as they seek to end a string of disappointing campaigns. Favoured to succeed in the Ivory Coast last year, they made a last-16 exit, falling 2-0 to South Africa. Among the challengers, Nigeria and Cameroon are hurting after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Egypt have gone 15 years since last conquering Africa, and Senegal seek redemption after a poor 2024 campaign.

Dark horses

Of the 12 contenders who have not won the AFCON, Mali stand out as a team capable of going all the way after being unlucky quarter-final losers to Ivory Coast last year. “We respect everyone, but fear no one. Our ambition is to stay in this competition until the very end,” says Tom Saintfiet, the Belgian coach of the Eagles.

Stars

Morocco coach Walid Regragui is optimistic that captain and defender Hakimi will recover from a sprained ankle, saying “we hope he will be available for our first match against the Comoros”. Of the 10 stars short-listed for the 2025 African player of the year award won by Hakimi, eight are likely to be in Morocco. Cameroon midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is injured and Serhou Guirassy misses out as Guinea did not qualify.

Build-up

A FIFA decision to change the release date of Africans with European clubs from December 8 to 15 upset many coaches as preparations had to be drastically altered. “FIFA only needs Africa during elections, but it does not value our competitions like AFCON or give them the recognition they deserve,” said France-born Angola coach Patrice Beaumelle.

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Profit

When the 2022 AFCON was won by Senegal in Cameroon, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) made a profit of less than $10 million. Fast forward to the 2025 edition in Morocco, and the Cairo-based organisation is predicting a surplus of $110 million thanks to a huge increase in revenue from TV rights.

Support

A problem spanning many AFCONs is poor attendance at matches not involving the host nation. It creates the false impression that there is little interest in the tournament. There was a dramatic improvement at the 2024 edition in Ivory Coast and Moroccan officials hope to lure thousands of their countrymen to stadia for each of the 36 group and 16 knockout matches.

Security

Sharp objects were flung onto the pitch during a recent CAF Champions League match between locals FAR Rabat and Egyptian club Al Ahly, serving a timely warning to Moroccan security officers. Hostility toward visiting teams leading to a barrage of missiles, corrupt officials allowing attendance ceilings to be breached and lax crowd control remain problems in African football.

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Bayern president plays down Haaland move amid City uncertainty

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Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has downplayed suggestions that Erling Haaland could become an immediate target if Manchester City face relegation.

Speaking to BILD on Sunday, Hainer was asked whether Bayern Munich would sign the Norwegian striker if City were forced out of the Premier League because of their ongoing financial charges case.

“We have Kane, Olise, Diaz and more. We scored over 120 goals last season. So, I think we are very well equipped in attack,” Hainer said.

The Bayern chief insisted the club currently does not need to strengthen its forward line, which already features Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Díaz.

However, he left the door slightly open for the longer term.

“If we’re talking about the future in a few years, then there will be a new situation, and we’ll see,” Hainer added.

Severe sanctions, including the possibility of relegation, remain under discussion pending any appeal.

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SEE FULL LIST: OAU, Ghana varsity top 2026 West African University Games medal table

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Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has emerged overall champion of the 15th West African University Games, winning 122 medals, according to the official medal table shared on the Games’ social media handles on Sunday.

The host institution won 33 gold, 50 silver and 39 bronze medals to finish ahead of the University of Ghana, which secured second position with 59 medals, comprising 26 gold, 21 silver and 12 bronze.

Benson Idahosa University finished third with 21 gold, 10 silver and seven bronze medals, while the University of Ibadan placed fourth with 17 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals.

The rankings are based on the number of gold medals won, followed by silver and bronze medals where necessary.

Below is the full medal table for the 15th West African University Games, hosted by OAU in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Full WAUG 2026 medal table

2026 WAUG Medal Table

– 1. Obafemi Awolowo University: 33 gold, 50 silver, 39 bronze — 122 medals

– 2. University of Ghana: 26 gold, 21 silver, 12 bronze — 59 medals

– 3. Benson Idahosa University: 21 gold, 10 silver, seven bronze — 38 medals

– 4. University of Ibadan: 17 gold, 12 silver, 13 bronze — 42 medals

– 5. Lagos State University: 10 gold, four silver, three bronze — 17 medals

– 6. Afe Babalola University: nine gold, 14 silver, 19 bronze — 42 medals

– 7. Delta State University, Abraka: seven gold, two silver, two bronze — 11 medals

– 8. University of Ilorin: six gold, four silver, six bronze — 16 medals

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– 9. University of Cape Coast: six gold, one silver, nine bronze — 16 medals

– 10. Nile University of Nigeria: six gold, one silver, two bronze — nine medals

– 11. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology: five gold, four silver, three bronze — 12 medals

– 12. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology: three gold, five silver, six bronze — 14 medals

– 13. Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi: two gold, three silver, five bronze — 10 medals

– 14. University for Development Studies: two gold, two silver, two bronze — six medals

– 15. University of Abuja: one gold, six silver, six bronze — 13 medals

– 16. University of Energy and Natural Resources: one gold, two silver, seven bronze — 10 medals

– 17. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti: one gold, one silver, four bronze — six medals

– 18. Osun State University: no gold, six silver, 10 bronze — 16 medals

– 19. Lead City University: no gold, two silver, one bronze — three medals

– 19. University of Ilesa: no gold, one silver, six bronze — seven medals

– 20. Plateau State University: no gold, one silver, one bronze — two medals

– 21. Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho: no gold, no silver, four bronze — four medals

– 22. Federal University of Technology, Akure: no gold, no silver, three bronze — three medals

OAU describes Games as investment in youth

In a report published on October 5, 2026, on its website, OAU said the opening ceremony brought together 50 universities, with more than 1,500 athletes and officials expected to participate across 18 sports.

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Speaking at the ceremony, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, said, “For OAU, the Games are an investment in the future of our youth.”

WAUG 2026 mascot, Ori-Olokun

He said the university wanted the infrastructure and systems developed for the competition to continue benefiting its community after the Games.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony, WAUG President Ibrahim Tanko Shaibu urged athletes to give their best while respecting their opponents and officials.

“Give your best, respect your opponents and officials,” he told the athletes, according to OAU’s October 5 report.

In a separate notice published on October 11, OAU said the closing ceremony would celebrate the achievements of participating athletes and institutions, as well as the spirit of fair play, resilience and friendship during the Games.

The 15th West African University Games were scheduled to run from October 2 to 12 at OAU, Ile-Ife.

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Leverkusen coach, director address Boniface walkout

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Victor Boniface’s frustration sparked a warning from Bayer Leverkusen chief Simon Rolfes after the Nigerian striker headed down the tunnel following his omission from Saturday’s dramatic 4-3 Bundesliga win over Mainz.

The Super Eagles forward was overlooked once again as coach Carles Martínez made his final substitutions in the 84th minute, introducing Equi Fernández and Jonas Hofmann for Aleix García and Patrik Schick.

With no chance to enter the game, Boniface reportedly headed to the dressing room instead of remaining with his teammates on the bench.

The incident has raised fresh questions about the striker’s situation at Leverkusen, where his playing time has been severely limited this season.

Boniface has made just one Bundesliga appearance, featuring for five minutes in the opening-day 3-2 defeat to SV Elversberg. Despite his limited involvement, he provided an assist for Christian Kofane.

He has since been overlooked against Union Berlin, Leipzig and Mainz, while missing out entirely against Augsburg.

Martínez admitted he had not noticed the walkout during the match but promised to discuss the matter with the Nigerian.

“If that’s what happened, we’ll speak to him,” the coach told Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, insisting that selection decisions were part of football.

Rolfes, meanwhile, responded with humour but made his position clear.

“Perhaps he went into the dressing room a little too early today. It won’t happen next time,” the sporting director said.

Despite the warning, Rolfes praised Boniface’s improving fitness and professionalism, describing him as a good member of the squad and training group.

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With Christian Kofane recently injured, the Nigerian could now have an opportunity to revive his Leverkusen campaign.

The Europa League trip to Lech Poznań on Thursday could provide the frustrated striker with a chance to prove his worth — if Martínez gives him the opportunity.

For Boniface, the message is clear: patience must accompany ambition as he fights to reclaim his place.

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