Morocco’s opening match of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations was a spectacle of rain, royal fanfare, and hopeful anticipation. The capital city of Rabat was alive with fans despite wintry showers, and the atmosphere was electric as the tournament began.
## Opening ceremony amid rain
The ceremony featured a parade of fans through Rabat and a spectacular light show. Beninese artist Angélique Kidjo, Moroccan singer Jaylann, and French-Moroccan rapper Lartiste performed the official tournament song for the first time. Heavy rainfall did not deter the crowd, who celebrated the moment with cheers and smartphone cameras.
## Royal presence and FIFA president
Morocco Crown Prince Moulay Hassan greeted the players before the kickoff. Near the end of the ceremony, the king’s eldest son appeared beside FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF president Patrice Motsepe. Infantino, standing beside a portrait of King Mohammed VI, proclaimed in French: “This will be the best ever Africa Cup of Nations!” The prince shook hands with the Comoros players and posed for a photo with the Morocco squad, unfazed by the rain.
## Morocco’s hopes and tournament context
The Atlas Lions are among the favorites to lift the cup, which would be only their second title 50 years after their 1976 victory. The final is scheduled for January 18 next year. Morocco is the highest-ranked African team at No. 11 and became the first African side to reach the World Cup semifinals in 2022. The kingdom has invested heavily in infrastructure to establish itself as a soccer powerhouse and is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
## Comoros debut and match details
Morocco opens its campaign against Comoros, a team ranked 108th in the world making its second appearance. Comoros coach Stefano Cusin said: “It’s a superb match, an extraordinary occasion to get to know our team, our country.” He added, “It’s going to be a great evening of football.” The opening match will take place in Rabat’s renovated Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which holds nearly 70,000 spectators and is one of nine venues across six cities.
## Sideline dispute
During the Comoros anthem before kickoff, a dispute broke out on the sideline. Some Comoros team members inadvertently lined up in front of photographers, restricting their view. The incident added tension to an already charged atmosphere.
## Morocco’s infrastructure and future
The kingdom’s commitment to football infrastructure is evident in the renovation of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium and the construction of other venues for the tournament. Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi was named among the substitutes after recovering from an ankle injury. He showed the African Footballer of the Year trophy to fans before kickoff. The tournament’s mascot, a lion named Assad, draws inspiration from the Barbary lions that once roamed North Africa; the last known photograph of a wild lion in Morocco was taken in 1925 by Marcelin Flandrin.
## Tournament scheduling and other teams
Egypt will begin its bid for a record-extending eighth title against Zimbabwe in Agadir on Monday. Defending champion Ivory Coast will start its title defense against Mozambique in Marrakech on Wednesday. Senegal and five-time champion Cameroon are also among the favorites, while Algeria is the only other country apart from Morocco to have all its matches sold out. The future of the biennial tournament has been altered with an announcement that it will move to a four-year cycle to align with the FIFA calendar.
## Key Takeaways
– Morocco opens the 35th Africa Cup of Nations amid rain, with the king’s son present and high hopes for a second title.
– The opening match pits Morocco against Comoros, the latter making its second tournament appearance.
– A four-year cycle will replace the current biennial schedule, aligning the competition with FIFA’s calendar.
The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations has set the stage for a tournament that blends tradition, royal support, and the promise of footballing excellence across the continent.
