After an intense debate on player availability and the timing of the tournament, the focus has begun to shift to the pitch as another mid-season edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) kicks off in Morocco on Sunday.

On the face of it, the two main talking points ahead of the 2025 finals are whether the host nation can extend their world record run of 18 consecutive wins and claim just a second title, and if Mohamed Salah will finally lift the trophy with Egypt.

The 33-year-old’s future at Liverpool has dominated headlines since his explosive assertion on 6 December that he has been “thrown under the bus” by the club.

After making his return from the bench at Anfield last Saturday, Salah will now be focused on his fifth attempt to clinch the continent’s biggest prize – especially after two previous defeats in finals.

But concentrating on just two topics would not do justice to a unique tournament characterised by unpredictability.

Ivory Coast delivered a remarkable home success in February last year, having sacked their coach during the group stage, while Senegal’s fine form was underlined by their win over England in June.

Elsewhere, Nigeria aim to go one better than at the 2023 finals but fellow heavyweights Cameroon appear, from the outside, to be in chaos – with both countries looking to make amends after missing out on the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

With seven different winners from the past eight editions, Morocco 2025 is certain to be a compelling watch as sides battle for a trophy hailed as the “holy grail of African football” by Benin assistant coach Tunde Adelakun.

“It’s so hard to win the Africa Cup of Nations. People love us a lot, but if [you] win they will never forget you,” Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat told the BBC World Service.