With less than a week to go before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco on December 21, what should have been a celebration of African football is instead dominated by controversy, conflict, and creeping administrative crises that threaten to overshadow the beautiful game.
From inter‑federation feuds and coaching upheavals to eligibility disputes and diplomatic strains, AFCON’s build‑up has been as tumultuous off the pitch as the action promises to be on it. Here, we break down the multiple flashpoints setting the tone for what could be one of the most fractious tournaments in the competition’s storied history.
Morocco: A Host Nation Under Scrutiny
Morocco enters AFCON 2025 as both host and one of the favourites — but not without its challenges.
On the field, the Atlas Lions boast a formidable squad, anchored by Paris Saint‑Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, whose fitness boost has thrilled supporters after a troubling injury scare late in the season. Off the pitch, the country has invested heavily in infrastructure, upgrading nine stadiums across six cities and preparing a 115,000‑seat Hassan II Stadium that doubles as a centerpiece for future global events including the 2030 FIFA World Cup bid.
Yet that investment hasn’t been universally welcomed at home. Public protests over what critics describe as misplaced spending priorities — particularly in healthcare and education — have at times tested domestic unity, raising uncomfortable questions about resource allocation in an era of austerity for many Moroccans.
Meanwhile, rumours that CAF might consider relocating the tournament were robustly dismissed by the Confederation of African Football President, who affirmed Morocco as the sole and final host after weeks of speculation.
Cameroon’s Unprecedented Institutional Collapse
If any nation’s build‑up encapsulates AFCON 2025’s chaos, it is Cameroon.
In a saga that has transfixed African football, the Indomitable Lions have been engulfed in a bitter dispute featuring two rival squad lists and two claimed head coaches — an extraordinary situation for a footballing heavyweight.
The dispute erupted after Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation and legendary former striker, sacked coach Marc Brys shortly after his re‑election. Brys, however, refused to accept the dismissal on procedural grounds, insisting that without formal written notice he remains the rightful coach.
The federation then appointed local coach David Pagou and released its own 28‑man squad — one that notably excludes stars such as André Onana, Eric Choupo‑Moting and Vincent Aboubakar.
The result? Two competing teams, public feuding, and a selection list where nobody knows which one will actually take the field in Morocco. Analysts say the turmoil could derail Cameroon’s campaign before a single whistle is blown — a remarkable fall for a country with five AFCON titles.
Managerial Turnover: A Coaching Crisis Across the Continent
Cameroon’s chaos is far from isolated.
In the weeks leading up to AFCON, at least five national teams have dismissed their head coaches, highlighting the intense — and often short‑sighted — pressure on African federations to deliver results with little patience for continuity.
- Angola parted ways with Portuguese coach Pedro Gonçalves after a poor start to their World Cup qualification campaign, despite his previous AFCON quarter‑final success.
- Zimbabwe relieved German coach Michael Nees of his duties following disappointing results in World Cup qualifiers.
- Tanzania’s coach was dismissed in early November, throwing their preparations into disarray.
- Zambia and Cameroon also saw managerial exits, the latter entangled in its power struggle.
For teams gearing up for one of football’s most intense tournaments, losing strategic leadership so close to kick‑off is more than a distraction — it’s a potential competitive handicap.
Nigeria’s Administrative Distractions
Africa’s other traditional power, Nigeria, hasn’t escaped controversy either.
In recent weeks, claims surfaced that Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has not been paid for several months, fuelling speculation and social media uproar around federation leadership and financial management.
While the Nigeria Football Federation has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations, the issue underscored ongoing pressures behind the scenes that linger long after qualification was secured. In an earlier chapter of their build‑up, a player training boycott over unpaid bonuses became a public embarrassment before Nigeria’s victorious World Cup play‑off against Gabon — a flashpoint that highlighted broader discontent within a proud footballing culture.
Unfortunately for Nigerian officials, trouble compounded on the pitch: Nigeria lodged a formal petition with FIFA alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during their 2026 World Cup qualifier, a claim rooted in disputes over dual citizenship rules versus FIFA eligibility criteria.
That case — still unresolved — has thrust World Cup qualification issues into the broader AFCON narrative, suggesting that national football conflicts now spill easily across competitions and into international governance.
Player Selection Battles and Club vs. Country Tensions
Tensions between club obligations and national duties have also surged.
In Senegal, coach Pape Thiaw faced pressure over the inclusion of winger Assane Diao in the AFCON squad despite ongoing injury issues. The player’s club manager publicly criticised the Senegalese setup for what he described as “playing on a young player’s fears,” warning that his absence might jeopardise future World Cup selection.
Such disputes reflect a growing pattern where European clubs and African federations clash over player availability, fitness and release timelines — a situation intensified this year by FIFA’s last‑minute decision to move the AFCON release date, an adjustment that many African officials privately described as “chaotic.”
Star Names and Emotional Storylines
Amid all the noise, star players remain at the heart of AFCON’s drama.
Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah — set to lead the Pharaohs in Group B — has had his off‑field controversies this season, including a row with his club manager at Liverpool. While reports suggest the issue has been “resolved,” his fitness and focus will remain topics of intrigue when Egypt takes on Zimbabwe, Angola and South Africa.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, has its own emotional subplot. Midfielder Marshall Munetsi, a senior figure in the team, expressed frustration at being omitted from the national squad after a calf injury, lamenting a lack of clear communication from the Zimbabwe Football Association.
These personal sagas, interwoven with national expectations, often elevate AFCON beyond sport — reminding fans why this tournament so captivates a continent.
AFCON in a Broader Geopolitical Context
Football rarely exists in a vacuum, and AFCON 2025 reflects that dynamic.
Morocco’s links with Europe, ongoing domestic protests, and wider geopolitical initiatives — such as its Atlantic Initiative and diplomatic positioning — mean the tournament plays out against a backdrop of regional and international strategy.
Even outside Morocco’s borders, conflicts such as in parts of Central and East Africa continue to exert influence over life and sport, with national teams often serving as symbols of unity or points of contention.
The Tournament Awaits: Expect Drama On and Off the Pitch
As kick‑off approaches, the build‑up to AFCON 2025 stands as one of the most dramatic in recent memory. Federations grappling with financial issues, coaches sacked with days to go, eligibility disputes spilling into FIFA corridors, and star players caught between club and country — all frame a tournament that could be as unpredictable off the pitch as it promises to be on it.
For morale‑rich nations like Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Egypt and underdog challengers, AFCON remains an unmatched opportunity to capture continental glory. But as this turbulent prelude shows, winning hearts and minds may now be as challenging as winning trophies.