As the African Nations Cup begins in Morocco from 23 December 2025, Box 18 will be taking an  analysis on the groups looking at the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of all the teams starting from Group A where we have host nation Morocco, Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. 

🇲🇦 1. Morocco – Host Nation

Strengths
    •    Strong home advantage with large fan support.
    •    One of Africa’s best-organised teams with high-level professional players (many in top European leagues).
    •    Solid defensive structure and tactical discipline.
    •    Depth in squad and experienced coaching staff.

Weaknesses
    •    Pressure of hosting may affect player composure.
    •    Sometimes struggle to break down defensive, low-block teams.
    •    Over-reliance on key players—injuries could destabilise the team.

Opportunities
    •    Chance to win their first AFCON in decades on home soil.
    •    Ability to use familiar climate, stadiums, and facilities to dominate the group.
    •    Opportunity to showcase national football growth after the 2022 World Cup success.

Threats
    •    High expectations can turn fans against the team if performance drops.
    •    Motivated underdogs (like Comoros or Zambia) could cause unexpected upsets.
    •    Mali’s physicality and fast transitions may challenge Morocco’s structured play.

🇲🇱 2. Mali

Strengths
    •    Strong, athletic squad with good midfield power.
    •    Excellent youth development—many players are young, fast, and dynamic.
    •    Known for pressing intensity and physical presence.
    •    Defensive solidity and strong goalkeeping options.

Weaknesses
    •    Can be inconsistent in finishing chances.
    •    Occasional loss of concentration in tight games.
    •    Less squad depth compared to Morocco.

Opportunities
    •    Good chance to qualify from the group—possibly even challenge Morocco for top spot.
    •    Opportunity to establish themselves as a top-tier African football nation.
    •    Young talents could make big breakthroughs on a continental stage.

Threats
    •    Morocco’s home advantage.
    •    Zambia’s counter-attacking style can trouble Mali’s high line.
    •    Comoros could frustrate them with compact defending.

🇿🇲 3. Zambia

Strengths
    •    Fast, counter-attacking football with highly pacey forwards.
    •    Strong fighting spirit and winning mentality (former AFCON champions).
    •    Growing number of players in competitive leagues abroad.
    •    Effective wing play and aggressive transitions.

Weaknesses
    •    Defensive inconsistency and occasional poor organisation.
    •    Difficulty maintaining possession against technical teams like Morocco.
    •    Dependence on a few key attackers.

Opportunities
    •    Capable of producing surprises—potential “dark horse” of the group.
    •    A strong start could push them toward the knockout stages.
    •    Opportunity for their forwards to exploit Mali’s and Morocco’s high lines.

Threats
    •    Mali’s midfield physicality may overwhelm them.
    •    Morocco’s tactical discipline could neutralise their style.
    •    Comoros, if underestimated, could take points from them.

🇰🇲 4. Comoros

Strengths
    •    Compact, organised defensive unit.
    •    Highly spirited team with strong unity and work rate.
    •    Excellent goalkeeping—one of the team’s historic strengths.
    •    Capable of upsetting bigger teams (as seen in previous AFCONs).

Weaknesses
    •    Least experienced team in the group.
    •    Limited squad depth—injuries can heavily affect performance.
    •    Struggles in maintaining possession and building attacks against top sides.

Opportunities
    •    Can play without pressure, allowing them to surprise opponents.
    •    A draw or narrow win could become historic and boost confidence.
    •    Chance to establish themselves as a rising footballing nation.

Threats
    •    Facing three physically strong and tactically advanced teams.
    •    Risk of early elimination if they concede early goals.
    •    Morocco’s home environment may be overwhelming.

✅ CONCLUSION: GROUP A OUTLOOK
    •    Morocco enter as favourites due to home advantage and squad quality.
    •    Mali are strong contenders for second place, with potential to top the group if they show consistency.
    •    Zambia can cause serious upsets and may battle Mali closely for qualification.
    •    Comoros are underdogs but capable of surprising the group if underestimated.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS (TEAM BY TEAM)

Formations based on recent competitive matches and coaching tendencies.

🇲🇦 1. MOROCCO – Projected Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3 (Walid Regragui style)

GK: Yassine Bounou
RB: Achraf Hakimi
CB: Nayef Aguerd
CB: Romain Saïss / Chadi Riad
LB: Noussair Mazraoui
DM: Sofyan Amrabat
CM: Azzedine Ounahi
CM: Bilal El Khannouss
RW: Hakim Ziyech
ST: Youssef En-Nesyri
LW: Abde Ezzalzouli / Oussama Idrissi

Key Notes:
    •    Morocco’s midfield trio remains one of the strongest in Africa.
    •    If Ziyech is unavailable, Ez Abde + Ezzalzouli become key creators.

🇲🇱 2. MALI – Projected Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

GK: Djigui Diarra
RB: Hamari Traoré
CB: Sikou Niakaté
CB: Kiki Kouyaté
LB: Amadou Dante
DM: Yves Bissouma
DM: Mohamed Camara
RW: Kamory Doumbia
AM: Lassine Sinayoko / Adama Traoré
LW: Adama “Noss” Traoré
ST: Ibrahima Sissoko / El Bilal Touré

Key Notes:
    •    Midfield (Bissouma + Camara) is the engine of the team.
    •    Mali’s attacking line remains young but explosive.

🇿🇲 3. ZAMBIA – Projected Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1

GK: Toaster Nsabata
RB: Tandi Mwape
CB: Stopilla Sunzu
CB: Frankie Musonda
LB: Rodrick Kabwe
DM: Lubambo Musonda
CM: Klings Kangwa
CM: Emmanuel Banda
RW: Lameck Banda
ST: Patson Daka
LW: Fashion Sakala

Key Notes:
    •    The Daka–Sakala–Banda frontline is deadly on counterattacks.
    •    Zambia’s weakness remains defensive shape against stronger teams.

🇰🇲 4. COMOROS – Projected Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1 (Compact & counter-attacking)

GK: Salim Ben Boina
RB: Kassim M’Dahoma
CB: Bendjaloud Youssouf
CB: Faïz Selemani / Chaker Alhadhur
LB: Mohamed Youssouf
DM: Yacine Bourhane
DM: Mohamed Bacar
RW: Faiz Selemani
AM: Youssef M’Changama
LW: Rafidine Abdullah
ST: El Fardou Ben Nabouhane

Key Notes:
    •    Comoros rely heavily on M’Changama & Selemani for creativity.
    •    Defensive compactness is their biggest strength.