The 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations officially kicked off on Sunday in Morocco with a high profile opening ceremony headlined by French Montana, Davido and RedOne in Rabat.
The ceremony took place moments before hosts Morocco faced Comoros in the tournament’s opening match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, setting the tone for Africa’s flagship football competition.
The three global music stars led the ceremony’s centrepiece performance titled “Le Show”, a visually striking production combining music, light, movement and symbolism, designed for a worldwide television audience.
French Montana, born in Morocco and raised in the United States, brought global hip hop influence and diaspora identity to the opening night, reflecting Morocco’s role as host and a cultural bridge between Africa and the wider world.
Davido appeared as one of Africa’s most influential contemporary music figures, with the Nigerian Afrobeats star widely credited for helping take African music to global stages. His performance echoed themes of celebration, confidence and continental pride associated with the Africa Cup of Nations.
Completing the trio was RedOne, the Moroccan born producer whose work has shaped international pop music. His inclusion highlighted Africa’s creative influence behind the scenes and its connection to global audiences through sound and production.
“Le Show” unfolded as a dynamic visual narrative, with the three artists converging at centre stage amid pulsating lights, drums and digital displays. The performance was designed to reflect unity, diversity and movement, core themes of AFCON 2025.
The opening ceremony served as both a cultural and sporting statement, projecting African creativity and confidence to millions of viewers worldwide.
AFCON 2025 runs until 18 January and features 24 national teams competing across six host cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Fez and Agadir. Nine stadiums will be used during the tournament.
Morocco is hosting the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time since 1988, with the 2025 edition being positioned as one of the most ambitious in the competition’s history, blending elite football with cultural storytelling on a continental scale.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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