As the competition intensifies in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco, Moroccan football legend Mohamed Timoumi made exciting statements to the newspaper “Okaz”, predicting dramatic scenarios in the knockout stages that could turn the balance of power in the African continent.
The prophecy of the big teams falling in the round of 16
The 1985 African Footballer of the Year emphasized that the round of 16 will be anything but easy, noting that the nature of the African Cup of Nations is always full of surprises. Timoumi said, "I expect a major upset in the round of 16, and that's part of the excitement that characterizes the tournament, but I can't name the big team that might be eliminated early." These statements come at a time when African football is witnessing a remarkable rise in teams that were previously considered second-tier, putting the traditional powerhouses under immense pressure.
The half-century complex and the ambition of the Atlas Lions
Speaking about the home team's chances, Timoumi emphasized that the Moroccan national team is the leading and most prominent contender for the continental title. This prediction rests on two main factors: firstly, the home advantage and the support of the fans, which provide a strong incentive for Achraf Hakimi and his teammates; and secondly, the burning desire to break the historical curse, as Morocco has only won the continental title once, in the 1976 edition in Ethiopia, nearly half a century ago.
Al-Taymoumi added, "The Moroccan national team fears no opponent in the tournament. It's true there are strong teams like Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, and others, but there's no apprehension about any of them given the world-class level the team has reached recently." He was implicitly referring to Morocco's historic achievement in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals, raising expectations and fan demands.
Competition map and anticipated fiery clashes
Al-Taymoumi also mentioned the traditional rivals, placing Egypt, the record holder with seven titles, at the forefront of those vying for the championship, alongside the formidable Nigerian and Senegalese national teams. This diversity in competition reflects the evolution of football on the continent, where tournaments are no longer the exclusive domain of a single geographical region.
As for the competition schedule, the Round of 16 kicks off today, Saturday, with a series of exciting matches. Sudan faces Senegal in a tough test for the Falcons of Jediane, while Tunisia's Eagles of Carthage take on Mali. The excitement continues tomorrow with Morocco playing Tanzania and a classic encounter between South Africa and Cameroon. The football action continues on Monday with Egypt facing Benin and Nigeria taking on Mozambique. The round concludes on Tuesday with Algeria playing DR Congo and Ivory Coast facing Burkina Faso.
Morocco’s hosting of this edition is not just a sporting event, but a real rehearsal and confirmation of the Kingdom’s readiness to host major global events, in preparation for organizing the 2030 World Cup, which gives this edition an exceptional character that goes beyond the limits of the green rectangle.
