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Morocco’s opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations began with a 2-0 victory over minnows Comoros in the tournament’s opening game on Sunday, with the goals of Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi.

In Morocco’s grueling opening half, Soufiane Rahimi’s penalty was saved, but Diaz fired home from inside the area at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat ten minutes after the break.

El Kaabi’s stunning overhead kick earned them the second place in Group A against Namibia, Mali, and Zambia, which will likely be the tougher tests to come up next.

Morocco, the best team in Africa’s 11th place, set a record for wins with 19 straight matches as a result.

Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, who appeared on the field before kick-off, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino were among those present for the 60 or 180-minute game.

Also read: &nbsp, Pressure On Morocco To Deliver As 2025 AFCON Begins

The entire game was watched from the bench by Morocco’s star man Achraf Hakimi, with coach Walid Regragui keeping the Paris Saint-Germain full-back, who hasn’t played since he injured his ankle with his club at the beginning of November.

When Morocco won a penalty in the 10th minute after Iyad Mohamed tripped playmaker Diaz inside the box, it appeared to be a long night for the Comoros.

The Comoros goalkeeper dived to his right as Rahimi’s spot-kick was blocked by Yannick Pandor’s legs, which allowed the visitors to hold on to their more illustrious hosts for the remainder of the first half.

Stunning overhead kick

Morocco, who also saw veteran centre-back Romain Saiss recover from an early injury, were able to defeat them at half-time.

The 108th-ranked Indian Ocean archipelago, known as the Comoros, had their resistance come to an end with the opening goal on 55 minutes.

Wessair Mazraoui, who started at right-back with Hakimi still recovering from a broken ankle, picked up the ball on the right side of the penalty area and squared past Real Madrid’s number 10 Diaz, who was born in Spain.

Morocco, who almost broke the deadlock just before that, saw space open up despite having a chance to make money off Rafiki Said, who was denied when clean through on goal.

Before Mazraoui’s El Kaabi, of Greek giants Olympiakos, lit the show with a stunning overhead bicycle kick that sent Anass Salah-Eddine to the left to make it 2-0, Mazraoui forced a good save from Pandor.

Morocco’s next game will be against Mali on Friday, when they kick off their campaign by hosting Zambia in Casablanca on Monday.

In another matchup, South Africa will face Angola in Marrakech on Monday before Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, the record-eighteen-time African champions chasing their first title since 2010 compete against Zimbabwe in Agadir in Group B.

The final will take place in Rabat on January 18 and the first edition of the Cup of Nations will begin in one year and end in another.

With Morgan Rogers’ brilliant brace sealing a 2-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday, Aston Villa stepped up their unanticipated Premier League title challenge.

At Villa Park, Rogers’ stunning strike late in the first half gave Unai Emery’s side the lead.

Moments later, Matheus Cunha scored the equalizer for United, but Rogers added his sixth goal in his last six league starts to give Villa its 10th straight victory.

As they attempt to capture their first English title since 1981, Unai Emery’s third-placed team are just three points adrift of leaders Arsenal and one point behind second-placed Manchester City.

Since 1914, Villa have won 11 straight victories, which is their best winning streak ever.

For the first time since 1989-1990, when they finished second under Graham Taylor, they have won seven top-flight games.

READ MORE: &nbsp, Raphinha, Yamal Strike as Barcelona defeat Villarreal 10-1.

Even with only two points and one goal scored in their first five matches, Villa’s ascent to the top of the league is even more remarkable.

With just one Premier League home defeat coming against Villa Park in 2025, Emery has transformed it into a fortress.

Even United, which had only lost once in their previous 26 trips to Villa, were unable to derail Emery’s title push, despite Arsenal’s already-loss this season.

After drawing with Bournemouth 4-4 on Monday, seventh-placed United are now winless in their last two league games following their second defeat in their last 11 matches.

Bruno Fernandes, United’s captain, reportedly had a hamstring issue, which added to Ruben Amorim’s issues.

Amorim, who lost seven players to Villa, couldn’t have anticipated Fernandes’ injury coming at a worse time.

Casemiro was suspended, while Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, and Wessair Mazraoui are attending the Africa Cup of Nations, in addition to Casemiro, who suffered injuries and was injured.

When Al-Hilal made a summer transfer for Fernandes, the club recently said that United “wanted me to go.”

Emery is delighted, and &nbsp

United will experience what life would be like without Fernandes if the Portugal midfielder decided against moving to Saudi Arabia.

After crashing into the Villa area, Benjamin Sesko should have led, but he made a mistake and gave Emiliano Martinez time to flee off his line and block the Slovenian’s effort.

In the 45th minute, Villa launched a masterfully executed counter-attack.

Rogers sprinted down the left flank with a pin-point pass from John McGinn, and the England midfielder scurried past Leny Yoro with a brilliant finish into the far corner.

On the stroke of half-time, when Matty Cash pounced on Cunha for a clinical finish from an acute angle, the defender dawdling in possession.

In the 57th minute, Villa’s advantage was restored thanks to Fernandes’ devastating defeat in the second half.

Rogers seized on a loose ball in the United area and guided a vicious finish past Senne Lammens from 12 yards, showing more desire than Yoro.

Emery roared in joy as he threw his jacket in the air to mark the occasion.

Martinez saved from Diogo Dalot and Dorgu to keep Villa’s lead, but the Spaniard’s joy was almost immediately curtailed.

Cunha wasted a better chance by heading wide from Dorgu’s cross.

Jack Fletcher, the son of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, made his debut with Amorim, but his debut was destined to be a failure.

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s wingers, scored 2-0 victory over Villarreal on Sunday to move them four points clear of La Liga.

Before half-time for a late lunge on Yamal, Villarreal’s Renato Veiga was sent off for a late penalty that the Brazilian international Raphinha won and converted.

As Hansi Flick’s side restored their lead over Real Madrid, second, and won their eighth consecutive league game, the 18-year-old slotted home Barca’s second midway through the second half.

After winning 3-0 at Girona earlier in the match, Atletico Madrid moved ahead of Villarreal to finish fourth.

Frenkie de Jong, a midfielder for Barca, told DAZN, “We’re happy because we finished the year as leaders, which was our goal, and we can now rest.”

In the end, I believe we were superior, and I wouldn’t say comfortable, but I believe it was a deserved win because Villarreal’s fast players can break quickly and we must do better to do that.

READ ALSO: Arsenal defeats Everton despite winning at Man City to stay top.

After being excluded from FIFA’s “Best” team of the year earlier in the week, Flick launched into an emotional defense of Raphinha on Saturday, prompting the winger’s remorsel against his coach.

After La Liga’s plans to bring this game to the United States were scrapped in October, Raphinha produced an all-action display at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica, where the match was played instead of Miami.

Barca struggled in their build-up play and struggled defensively, but Raphinha and Yamal’s wingers Raphinha and Yamal’s outstanding performance and their goalkeeper Joan Garcia’s outstanding performance made the game entertaining.

Ayoze Perez’s shot was blocked by Jules Kounde, who then turned the ball over to Raphinha, who then netted a penalty.

In the 12th minute, the winger confidently won it and almost added the second with a superb effort that crashed back off the bar.

Villarreal fought back when Kounde deflected a cross into his own net, but offside in the build-up prevented the goal.

Veiga’s rash foul, &nbsp

After Villarreal’s mistake made it almost level, Barca stopper Garcia saved Tajon Buchanan.

Veiga’s needless red card for a late, ugly lunge on Yamal before the break made the visitors’ job easier.

After a frantic exchange in the box, Yamal scored after 63 minutes to give the champions their second goal.

In their final three games, covering all competitions, Barca finished 2026 with three points and a third clean sheet thanks to Joan Garcia’s stunning saves against Rafa Marin and Georges Mikautadze.

After Andreas Christensen’s diagnosis with a partially torn knee ligament, Kounde suffered a foot injury before the final whistle, which could add to Flick’s back issues.

Barca come into the year better than Real Madrid, who defeated Sevilla 2-0 on Saturday, but still have a lot of issues to worry about.

“We’re doing well, on a good path, we’re leaders, we’re alive in (the other competitions),” De Jong continued. “Now is not the time they’re giving out the trophies.

Villarreal fell to Barca in their first league game away from home all season, but they now trail them by 11 points.

Before taking a vacation, Villarreal midfielder Dani Parejo said, “We’re hurt by the outcome, our first home defeat.”

However, “We are proud and satisfied with the team’s work, for how we set up this game… We had so many chances to come away with a half-win.”

The best African stars will descend to Morocco on December 21st, and there will be no disputing their triumphant crowning in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) championships.

The AFCON is a celebration of identity and collective memory for millions of Africans. It carries with it decades of passion, hope, and culture.

The winning of the trophy sets the stage for what could be their biggest year to date, 2026, for many players as well as for their families, communities, and entire nations.

Osimhen, Lookman, and Other Persons Who Could Shape Nigeria’s Title Push are also worth reading.

When asked what AFCON means to an African footballer, Augustine Jay-Jay Okocha once said, “Nothing is more beautiful than knowing that you are an African champion and that you are the best team in Africa,” and that’s what it means.

The joy of national unity and the pride of representing one’s country are unmatched by any club competition, which AFCON exploits.

The Talents’ Audience Ground

The exposure it provides is one of AFCON’s greatest advantages for African players. Lethal strikers, skilled midfielders, solid defenders, and dependable goalkeepers are among the top talent that scouts, managers, and agents from all over the world watch closely in Africa.

Through outstanding performances, some of Africa’s top players benefited from the tournament as a platform to move to Europe.

Osimhen: From The Lagos Newspaper Seller to the Nigerian Stardom

Julius Aghahowa, 17, was one of those who became the breakout force at the 2000 AFCON, where Nigeria reached the final on home soil.

A fearless, somersault-celebrating youngster who looked destined for global stardom was immediately etched his name into AFCON folklore with the performance.

Who would have imagined that a relatively unknown NPFL Warri Wolves forward, similar to Sunday Mba, would be the player who would win Nigeria’s third African title?

After posting an impressive winner in the quarterfinal against the Ivory Coast, Mba showed promise.

One of the best ways for young African talent to succeed is through AFCON, which also applies to players from lesser-known leagues, those from domestic clubs, and those who want to be great.

Responsibility and Unity

What better way to unite a continent than football, where there are frequently countries with a range of ethnic groups, languages, and political differences?

It is no wonder that great nationalists like Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah, and Nnamdi Azikiwe have put a lot of effort into developing their ideas and goals for a united Africa.

Citizens rally behind one flag and one team when AFCON begins, establishing a sense of unity that transcends everyday divisions.

“Winning AFCON changed everything,” ex-Zimbabwe captain Christopher Katongo put it best: “Not just for me, but for our entire country and for how people view African football.”

This sense of responsibility and inspiration is shared by the players at a national level.

They are aware of the support that millions of people, from all walks of life, have for them. Their desire to wear their national colors is fueled by that weight.

Unlike club football, where players are able to carry the hopes of a whole nation, AFCON gives players the chance to carry those hopes. What contributes so much to AFCON’s remarkable achievement in fostering national unity is this powerful connection between the team and the people.

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Stability and Financial Security

Players from all over the world are deeply interested in the tournament because of the financial advantages that come with participating in it.

National federations typically award bonuses for qualifying, winning matches, and progressing through the stages, giving players a chance to quickly accumulate valuable rewards.

These payments are especially important for players who have modest salaries or who compete in leagues with low salaries.

The tournament also gives players a wealth of sponsorship opportunities and exposure to the media.

During the tournament, multinational corporations from all over Africa and beyond associate with household names and international icons. A successful athlete may be able to obtain endorsements in a variety of industries, including sportswear and consumer goods, generating additional revenue. This visibility can help a player gain more business exposure and establish long-term financial relationships.

AFCON may be the turning point for many players who are still pursuing significant club opportunities.

Security players gain from rising market values, which also contributes to financial stability. Their ability to sway with their current clubs and change lives can be strengthened by a strong performance on the continental stage.

Shot at the World Cup in 2026

The significance of AFCON has become even more strategic as the world is now anticipating the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

A good showing can directly influence national team selections, draw attention from larger clubs, and create momentum for the remaining World Cup qualifiers and beyond, and almost all African players want a chance to win the title in the world.

Many still believe the 2023 edition was a failure despite receiving nearly two billion viewers, according to Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrick Motsepe.

Former Nigerian international Mikel Obi stated on The Obi One Podcast that “the Africa Cup of Nations is as big as the Euros… It’s what drives African players to greatness.”

A strong AFCON is a testament to Africa’s readiness, competitiveness, and deserving of its place on the global stage as its infrastructure, coaching standards, and global visibility grow.

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Roots and African Style Celebration

Many players envision an AFCON stage where Africans unapologetically shine and style. It embodies a football movement that is imaginative, spontaneous, and emotional.

In essence, AFCON is nostalgia for a player who has retreated to their original ways and played the game.

Its flair is one of the most important aspects of the AFCON. How players move and think while playing football, as well as famous African figures like Jay Jay Okocha, Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah, Christopher Katongo, and others, have had an impact on their thinking and behavior.

This expression is celebrated at AFCON, not as risky as it is. Players feel inspired to embrace the artistry that defines African football, and fans anticipate that players will dazzle.

Without the physicality, speed, and rhythm that characterize the African game, the tournament wouldn’t be complete. AFCON showcases athleticism grounded in intensity and resilience in everything from box-to-box midfield battles to lightning-fast wingers.

This rhythm, which combines strength, speed, and coordinated teamwork, reflects the continent’s spirit of competition. Footballers take pride in demonstrating how beautiful and potent African football is.

Football is combined with music, dance, and national identity during AFCON, which also serves as a cultural celebration. The atmosphere atstadiums is unique because of the drums, vuvuzelas, chants, and traditional songs that accompany them.

With star man Achraf Hakimi returning from injury, Morocco will carry a lot of expectation into their first game of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, which will be played in the country.

The biggest rivals for Morocco at the AFCON, which begins on January 18 with the final match against Senegal, are Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, the reigning champions of the year, and Victor Osimhen’s Nigerian side.

Morocco, the best team in Africa’s 11th place, will face the minnows Comoros at Rabat’s new 69, 000-seat Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday at 1900 GMT.

PHOTOS: Morocco Ready As AFCON 2025 Kicks Off On Sunday

The Atlas Lions, who are semi-finalists in the 2022 World Cup and who have won 18 games in a row, are under a lot of pressure.

Coach Walid Regragui reaffirmed on Saturday that his goal is to win the AFCON at home in front of the fans.

Morocco will face the most difficulty in winning the AFCON because of the expectations placed on them, he said despite their attempts to win the title for the first time since 1976.

Anything less than victory will fail, according to the statement.

Hakimi, the African player of the year, hasn’t played since early November when he was injured in his ankle, and the Paris Saint-Germain right-back says he’s prepared to play.

Hakimi remarked, “I feel good,” even though Regragui acknowledged that the former Real Madrid player may not play against the Comoros and that Mali and Zambia will be the starting opponents for Group A matches.

Hakimi continued, “I don’t think about me as a person.” If the team wins after just one minute, that’s fine.

Morocco has won a number of recent games with good luck, including the recent Under-20 World Cup, and the nation’s victory over Jordan in the FIFA Arab Cup final this week, which drew cheerleaders to the streets.

crammed into a calendar

As Morocco hosts its first AFCON since 1988, this competition also aims to highlight some world-class stadiums.

One of four stadiums in Rabat is the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which will also host the final.

As the nation prepares for the 2030 World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal, a sizable 75-kilo stadium in Tangier will host a semi-final, and games will also be played in Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, and Fez.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) was forced to postpone its main competition as a result of FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup’s expansion in June and July.

Due to the new UEFA Champions League format, they were unable to hold the Cup of Nations in January and February, and they were unable to hold it until June 20th due to the World Cup.

Egypt is in the lead according to Salah.

The only option was to begin in December and continue into the new year at a time when many European leagues, home to so many African stars, are shut down.

Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, made the announcement on Saturday that the Cup of Nations would be played every four years following a planned 2018 edition. He also acknowledged the need to address the scheduling issue.

According to Motsepe, “we want to ensure that there is more synchronization” and that “the global football calendar is more harmonious.”

Morocco are aiming to emulate Ivory Coast’s success as hosts of the AFCON in 2024.

Algeria won the region’s four of the last five competitions, including the region’s 2019 edition, in Egypt.

How likely are Egypt’s chances of capturing a record-extending eighth title as a result of the doubts surrounding Salah’s future at Liverpool?

Senegal, which defeated Senegal in 2022 and had a squad that included Iliman Ndiaye and Sadio Mane, faces a strong challenge elsewhere.

Nigeria, who finished second last year, will make amends for the fact that it did not qualify for the World Cup.

Ghana and Cape Verde, on the other hand, are both scheduled to play in Morocco.

Following Sunday’s opening game, there will be three matches on Monday, including Egypt versus Zimbabwe and South Africa versus Angola.

Arsenal defeated Everton 1-0 to claim top spot in the Premier League at Christmas, while Liverpool fought back to defeat nine-man Tottenham 2-1 in the final game.

Erling Haaland’s double gave Manchester City a 3-0 lead over West Ham, which gave them a brief ascendancy to the table.

Viktor Gyokeres scored a penalty to give Arsenal a two-point lead, but the team struggled to make a grinding comeback against Merseyside.

At Hill Dickinson Stadium, penalty appeals were a common occurrence.

Before being given a spot-kick for a Jake O’Brien handball, the Swede converted, Arsenal had strong claims waived away for a foul on Gyokeres.

After the visitors broke, Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi hit the post, but Everton were outraged that Thierno Barry’s two challenges inside the area went unpunished.

With a seventh straight victory in all competitions, City kept the Gunners under pressure.

Pep Guardiola was, however, still unsatisfied with his demands for improvements if City were to retain their seventh Premier League title.

“I want to be truthful. I said to the players, “Hake a Merry Christmas, but it won’t be enough if we don’t get better.”

When Haaland fired home after just five minutes, the Hammers feared a draw.

Tijjani Reijnders scored his first goal at the Etihad just before half-time, and Haaland provided for City’s second.

And he already scored his 38th goal of the season for the club and country when City moved one point clear of Arsenal with a 21-minute break in the process.

Read more about Hakimi’s fitness for Morocco’s AFCON bid here.

Isak hurts, and  

To make things worse for Spurs manager Thomas Frank, Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to six games.

Virgil van Dijk, Virgil van Dijk’s Dutch international teammate, was killed by Xavi Simons’ dangerous lunge as they left the home side on the final 33 minutes.

Alexander Isak started on the bench once more despite Mohamed Salah’s absence from the Africa Cup of Nations.

The most expensive Premier League player ever was unveiled at the break, according to Arne Slot.

The Swede added yet another injury setback to his debut goal against Liverpool for £125 million in September, forcing him to be replaced. This was his third goal since moving to Liverpool for £125 million in September.

In three league games, Hugo Ekitike scored his fifth goal to give Liverpool a two-goal lead.

However, once Richarlison pulled a goal back, Slot’s men continued to stutter in the closing stages.

You can always recall the final few minutes of a game, which were the worst of the entire series, said Slot. It “went through a lot of chaos and hectic.”

Cristian Romero, Frank’s captain, helped Frank as his team’s pressure increased as a result of his fifth defeat in nine home league games this season, which caused him to lose inutilely.

Spurs are rooted down in 13th place, while Liverpool moves up to fifth.

Chelsea are still in fourth place in the league in goal difference thanks to Enzo Maresca’s recovery after more rumors surround his future.

After winning against Everton last weekend, the Italian claimed that he and his players had not received enough support despite a difficult run of results.

In recent days, Maresca was suggested as Guardiola’s replacement at City.

Chelsea’s last five league games have resulted in their only one win, leaving their desire to challenge for the title.

Maresca’s double in a dominant first half resulted in a 2-0 lead for Newcastle, but it could have been worse.

The Blues regained control of the situation after Reece James’ brilliant free kick, which Joao Pedro equalized after Malick Thiaw made an error.

After losing 2-0 at home to Brentford, Wolves are still without a league win this year and are on their way to becoming the worst team in Premier League history.

Armando Broja’s 90th-minute goal gave Bournemouth a 1-1 draw, ending their seven-game losing streak.

In a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace, Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice to move six points clear of the bottom three.

After drawing 0-0 at Brighton, Sunderland moved up to sixth place.