• Patrice Motsepe says the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead in Morocco, despite days of protests over corruption and poor services.

• The tournament will run from 21 December to 18 January, with 24 teams and top players like Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe says the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 will go ahead in Morocco – even as protests continue in the country.

For more than a week, young Moroccans have filled the streets to protest against corruption, poor schools, and failing hospitals.

But Motsepe is not worried. “Morocco is plan A, plan B and plan C,” he said during a meeting in Kinshasa, where Fifa president Gianni Infantino was also present.

The tournament will take place from 21 December to 18 January, with 24 national teams playing in nine stadiums.

Top players like Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi are expected to take part.

Motsepe said CAF will work with the Moroccan government and people to make it “the most successful AFCON in history.”

Morocco last hosted the tournament in 1988 and was supposed to do so again in 2015 but pulled out because of Ebola fears.

Motsepe also said CAF is planning to restart the African Football League. The league launched in 2023 with only eight teams instead of 24, and Mamelodi Sundowns won the first season.

“The African Football League is very important and it will continue,” he said.

Motsepe added that CAF is now in a strong financial position. It expects a $28.45-million surplus next year – a big jump from last year’s $9.48-million profit.

“Revenues have quadrupled. We have zero tolerance for corruption. All the money goes into football,” he said.

Pictured above: Patrice Motsepe.

Image source: File