ATLAS LIONS ROARING AS AFRICA ARRIVES IN COLOUR FOR AFCON 2025.

ATLAS LIONS ROARING AS AFRICA ARRIVES IN COLOUR FOR AFCON 2025.

BY Musawo Kintu Joseph.

The 35th edition of The Epitome of African contest is upon us in Morocco. It’s been an outpouring display of cultural heritage as African powerhouses and would-be dark horses touch down, all for the prize of being The Continent’s Number One Come 18th January 2026.

Salah leads Egypt’s quest for an 8th title and his first. The case would be so for Mbeumo as Cameroon charge for a 6th, Osimhen with responsibility to deliver Nigeria’s 4th, Mane for his and Senegal’s 2nd, Diallo and Zaha on The Elephants’ charge for a 4th title and also a title defense, that hasn’t been possible for any holder in the previous 7 editions.

As these stars chase history, the same shall be for Dominques Pelembe of Mozambique who makes another AFCON appearance at 42, Dennis Onyango Masinde at 40, for the Uganda Cranes, both still falling shy of Essam El Hadary of Egypt who was still active at 44 years in 2017 A new crop of talent is expected to light up cities in Morocco with their flair and exuberant display.

Lamine Camara for Senegal has become a mainstay in midfield, Noah Sadiki for DRC, Eliesse Ben Seghir for Morocco, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria, Oumar Diakhite for Ivory Coast plus of course Rogers Mato and James Bogere for Uganda.

As the ball gets rolling in Rabat, many of the Gen-Z will roar the home side to zenith heights as they look to add on their sole triumph of 1976 in Ethiopia. This is the second time they are hosting Africa’s master showpiece, and judging by the galaxy of stars at their disposal, they should do better than their semi-final exit at the hands of fellow African-Arabs Algeria on penalties in 1988.

In Achraf Hakimi, Brazil Diaz, Bilal El Khannousi, head Coach Walid Regragui knows that the onus lies on his tactical agility to deliver a technical masterclass that’s highly expected of this well-oiled and structured Morocco side.

The expectation and joy of delivering the title could go a long way in quenching the recent protests associated with what youth term as inflated expenses in line with preparation for this AFCON and 2030 World Cup.

The $70m revamped Prince Moulay Abdellar stadium will be the starting point of mixed emotions, which are expected to go on in Casablanca, Fez, Agadir, Marrakech, and Tangier. The time is now, let the ball roll