Story byMorocco captain Achraf Hakimi (L) playing against Niger in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. (Abdel Majid BZIOUAT)AFPMon, December 8, 2025 at 5:17 AM UTC·4 min readMorocco have home advantage, a team that has won a world record 18 consecutive internationals and an inspirational captain in Achraf Hakimi as they seek 2025 Africa Cup of Nations glory. Expectations are high in the kingdom that the Atlas Lions can lift the most prized football trophy in the continent for only the second time on January 18 -- 50 years after last doing so. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut resilient title holders the Ivory Coast, Mohamed Salah-captained Egypt, Victor Osimhen-inspired Nigeria and Sadio Mane-led Senegal are some of the challengers capable of spoiling the Moroccan dream. AFP Sport looks at the premier African sport event, from its humble debut in 1957 to a 2025 tournament set to draw huge global TV audiences from the first match on December 21. BackgroundOnly hosts Sudan, champions Egypt and Ethiopia took part in the 1957 AFCON after South Africa were disqualified for wanting to field either an all-white or all-black team.