The 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) officially kicked off on Sunday in Morocco with a dazzling opening ceremony in Rabat, headlined by global music stars French Montana, Davido and RedOne.
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Staged moments before hosts Morocco faced Comoros in the tournament’s opening match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium,.
The ceremony set the tone for Africa’s flagship football competition with a visually rich and globally themed performance titled “Le Show.”
The show blended music, light, movement and symbolism in a carefully choreographed spectacle designed for a worldwide television audience, underscoring AFCON’s growing cultural and global appeal.
Three Artists, One Message
French Montana, born in Morocco and raised in the United States, brought global hip-hop energy and diaspora identity to the opening night.
One of the most prominent African-born artists on the international rap scene, his appearance reflected Morocco’s role as host and a cultural bridge between Africa and the wider world.
Nigerian superstar Davido represented contemporary African music on the global stage.
As one of Afrobeats’ most influential figures, his sound and presence embodied celebration, confidence and continental pride—values CAF says align with the spirit of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Completing the trio was RedOne, the Moroccan-born producer whose work has shaped global pop music across continents. His inclusion highlighted Africa’s creative influence behind the scenes, connecting African identity with international audiences through sound and production.
A Global Cultural Statement
“Le Show” unfolded as a dynamic visual narrative, with the three artists converging at centre stage amid pulsating lights, traditional drums and digital displays.
The performance reflected themes of unity, diversity and movement, central to the messaging of AFCON 2025.
Beyond football, the opening ceremony served as a cultural statement, projecting African creativity, confidence and storytelling to millions of viewers around the world.
A Month of Football Across Morocco
The ceremony marked the start of a month-long tournament running until 18 January, featuring 24 national teams competing across six host cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Fez and Agadir.
With nine stadiums in use and Morocco hosting the finals for the first time since 1988,
AFCON 2025 is being billed as one of the most ambitious editions of the competition, combining elite football with cultural expression on a continental scale.
As the tournament gets underway,
Africa’s biggest football celebration begins not only with competition on the pitch, but with music, identity and a message designed to resonate far beyond the stadiums.
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