Comoros head to Morocco for their second AFCON appearance
The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this December, and Morocco gets to host what already feels like an unmissable tournament. From the moment the dates dropped, fans across Africa started buzzing. Will the usual big names run the show again, or are we in for another wild AFCON ride full of upsets and new heroes?
Even though there aren’t any real debutants at AFCON 2025, and yes, all 24 nations competing have been to an AFCON before, that doesn’t kill the chats around potential surprise packages. The unexpected semi-finalists at AFCON have written a fascinating history. The tournament has seen some giant killers as well. Moreover, different nations have often burst onto the scenes from effectively nowhere to become global headlines. A variety of lesser-known teams are entering the tournament this year with momentum, and a new generation of players ready to shine.
Comoros – The island nation still full of surprises
Comoros have enjoyed a fairytale rise since their shock FCON appearance a couple of years ago. They have been praised for their tactical discipline, compact defending and fearless stature against bigger nations.
Comoros may be the underdog once again but that’s exactly where their strength lies. They can take control of possession-heavy teams, and they tend to be most effective when the pressure is on the opponent. With maturity of players and few players already competing abroad, they could capitalize on any complacency in their group and sneak into the knockout rounds.
Botswana – A quiet, steady riser
For a long time, Botswana has been regarded as a peripheral football nation. However, better coaching structures and increased exposure of their players in foreign leagues have gradually improved their game. The team showed tactical maturity, defensive solidity and hunger from the young players during their qualification run.
Botswana might not be regarded as a danger by the conventional giants, but that precisely what makes them dangerous. Football teams can cause trouble even for technically gifted side with their athleticism. If they can manage their group games and convert the big chances they get, something huge could occur at the African Cup of Nations 2025 edition.
Zimbabwe and Mozambique – Southern Africa’s dark horses
Over the years, teams from Southern Africa have been known to cause some surprising runs in the history of AFCON and Zimbabwe and Mozambique are credible dark horses this year.
Zimbabwe can field experienced pros from clubs all over Africa and Asia. They’re tough, strong in the air, and love to pounce on set pieces and counters.
Mozambique? They can be a handful too, physical, unpredictable, and sometimes they flip a match on its head with a burst of attacking brilliance.
For both teams, entering the AFCON with low expectations might be a blessing in disguise. Possession-based teams find their football painful to play against and ideal in knockout football.
Related: Nwabali Doubtful For AFCON 2025 With Injury
Benin and Equatorial Guinea are expert party spoilers
If there is an AFCON party-spoiler then Benin and Equatorial Guinea certainly fit the bill.
Benin’s tactical Plan B has proven effective against similar teams but might not work vs all teams.
Equatorial Guinea have been known to forge their way to the latter stages of the AFCON with grit and extreme tactical discipline.
These countries excel when the stakes are high and the situation is tense for their opponent. Those are precisely the kind of teams that knock out a heavyweight.
Why the giants should still be worried
Teams such as Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Algeria are among the favorites to win the title but getting complacent at the AFCON has not worked well for teams down the years. Several factors play into the advantage of underdogs.
Long club seasons leave players tired. The travel takes a toll. The schedule is tight; one bad game, and your tournament’s done. Add in penalty shootouts, which always seem to favor the underdogs who defend for their lives, and you see why even the giants worry.
Could a “debutant-like” shock still happen?
Yes, even without official debutants.
The teams like Comoros, Botswana, Mozambique and Benin are not new to the tournament. They do occupy the same narrative space nonetheless. Namely, unfancied, underestimated and unburdened by any pressure. AFCON is a competition where momentum and belief are often greater than squad value or global ranking.
The 2025 edition feels ripe for another surprise. With several rising teams raising their technical levels and tactical structures, the gap between the giants and the outsiders is closing.
Final verdict
Although no first-time participant is there in AFCON 2025, the spirit of the debutant –the unpredictable, fearless outsider –is there. Botswana’s rise, Comoros’ flair, Zimbabwe’s resilience and Equatorial Guinea’s pedigree combine to give the competition a host of possible disruptors.
According to the past events, any nation can surprise the event in the future. Who is it going to be this time?
