Karim El Ahmadi, former key midfielder of Morocco’s national team and respected voice in African football, has set the tone ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. According to him, Morocco will enter the tournament with just one goal: to win the competition. This ambition echoes the hopes of an entire nation and a golden generation of players used to performing at the highest level.
For the ex-Atlas Lions captain, Morocco has now gathered all the necessary ingredients: players competing in the best European leagues, impressive squad depth across all positions, and an experienced coaching staff led by Walid Regragui. El Ahmadi is categorical: Morocco will not travel to Cameroon to participate, but to make history.
The former Feyenoord midfielder also highlighted the impact of the 2022 World Cup, in which Morocco became the first African team ever to reach the semi-finals. In his words, that achievement changed outsiders’ perception, turning the Atlas Lions into clear AFCON contenders. Now, supporters expect a long-awaited second continental title after 1976.
El Ahmadi’s words sound like both a warning and a rallying cry: every match will be a war, with tremendous pressure. Yet, for the ex-international, this is a unique opportunity for Morocco to finally establish themselves as the undisputed leaders of African football.