AFCON 2025 officially began on Sunday night in Rabat, Morocco not with a whistle, but with music, light, and symbolism. Moments before hosts Morocco faced Comoros in the tournament’s opening match, Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido took centre stage at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, headlining a glamorous opening ceremony watched by millions across the world.
Davido was joined by French Montana and Moroccan super-producer RedOne for the ceremony’s flagship performance, titled Le Show. Together, the trio delivered what CAF described as a celebration of African creativity, unity, and global influence; a statement that AFCON is as much cultural as it is competitive.
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Davido, and the Sound of Modern Africa
Davido’s presence felt intentional. Over the last decade, the Nigerian singer has become one of Africa’s most recognisable musical exports, carrying Afrobeats onto some of the world’s biggest stages. At AFCON’s opening night, he wasn’t just performing, he was representing a generation.
CAF framed Davido as a symbol of confidence, celebration, and continental pride, qualities the organisation says mirror the spirit of the Africa Cup of Nations. His performance blended seamlessly into the ceremony’s visual narrative, marked by pulsating lights, drums, and digital displays designed for a global television audience.
French Montana and RedOne Complete the Trio
French Montana’s appearance added another layer to the evening. Born in Morocco and raised in the United States, the rapper embodied the bridge between Africa and the global diaspora. His presence reflected Morocco’s role as host and its position as a cultural crossroads connecting Africa, Europe, and the wider world.
Completing the trio was RedOne, the Moroccan-born producer whose fingerprints are all over global pop music. Known for shaping international hits behind the scenes, RedOne’s inclusion highlighted Africa’s creative influence beyond the spotlight, reinforcing the idea that African talent drives sound, culture, and production worldwide.
Together, the three artistes converged at centre stage, symbolising unity through diversity; a recurring theme of AFCON 2025.
A Ceremony Built for a Global Audience
CAF designed Le Show as a dynamic visual experience, merging choreography, traditional motifs, and modern sound. The ceremony leaned heavily into symbolism, movement representing migration and progress, drums echoing heritage, and digital visuals reflecting modern Africa.
It was a clear attempt to position AFCON not just as a sporting competition, but as a cultural event capable of commanding global attention. Despite light rain during parts of the performance, the energy inside the stadium never dipped. Fans in Rabat sang along, danced, and documented the moment, while viewers across Africa and beyond reacted in real time on social media.
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AFCON 2025 Begins a New Chapter
The opening ceremony marked the start of a month-long tournament featuring 24 national teams competing across six Moroccan cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Fez, and Agadir. With nine stadiums in use, AFCON 2025 is shaping up as one of the most ambitious editions in the competition’s history.
This is also Morocco’s first time hosting the tournament since 1988, a return that carries historical weight and high expectations. But before the goals, the controversies, and the heartbreaks, AFCON 2025 announced itself through culture. Through sound. Through African stars commanding a global stage.
And with Davido leading the opening moment, the message was clear: Africa has arrived and it’s setting its own tone.
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