AFCON 2025 storylines: Morocco’s rise, Mohamed Salah’s future and Nigeria’s redemption quest

This tournament can, and probably should, become a celebration of Moroccan soccer excellence. The Atlas Lions are clear favorites to take home their first AFCON title since 1976. Better yet, they're hosting the tournament, which should be great practice for Morocco as it prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

What's at stake for Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah

Egypt's Salah isn't just fighting for a trophy at AFCON — he's fighting for control of his future. He enters this tournament on the back of a dramatic, public bust-up with Liverpool centered on his lack of playing time.

Traveling to AFCON will give him needed time away from the Reds, but he'll return in the middle of the January transfer window. If Salah has a strong AFCON, he'll have plenty of leverage with Liverpool as he and the club decide what's next; if he has a weak AFCON, he may never play for Liverpool again.

Nigeria's on a revenge mission at AFCON

Nigeria has always been one of Africa's most reliable sides — until now. The Super Eagles suffered through a dramatic, almost laughably chaotic World Cup qualifying campaign that saw them eliminated by the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the last possible moment. Nigeria accused the DR Congo of everything from witchcraft to passport fraud in the hopes of nullifying that result, but so far, it has all been for nought. The DR Congo is heading to a World Cup playoff and Nigeria is staying home.

This AFCON, then, is Nigeria's one and only opportunity to prove its World Cup failure was a fluke. It will enter this tournament hopping mad and desperate for a trophy.

An underdog led by an Major League Soccer favorite

Plenty of players come to MLS as superstars, but precious few become superstars while plying their trade in the United States. Gabonese attacker Denis Bouanga is one of those rare talents. The LAFC star came to MLS from France's Saint Etienne in 2022 and lit the league on fire with his irrepressible creativity. He and South Korean legend Son Heung-min are MLS' best attacking duo, and they're set to have a massive season together in 2026.

Before that, though, Bouanga has some AFCON business to attend to. He'll lead his Gabon side into the tournament with the hopes of making a deep run. Gabon just missed out on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup; it's a competent, technically impressive side capable of going toe to toe with any team on the African continent. Fans of Bouanga's MLS antics will love seeing him shine in an international tournament like this one.

The tournament begins Sunday when Morocco hosts Comoros in Rabat.