CANAL+ and SuperSport bring CAF TotalEnergies AfCON Morocco 2025 in style; The celebration of African football

* SuperSport concluded a broadcast rights deal with CAF to broadcast the tournament in English and Portuguese-speaking Sub-Saharan African territories

* The broadcaster will offer SuperSport viewers the most comprehensive football viewing experience that any sports broadcaster has ever managed to accomplish for Africa’s greatest football competition

* Africans everywhere — on the continent and across the diaspora — will be watching with pride—CAF president, Patrice Motsepe

By Duncan Mlanjira

CANAL+ will become the first global broadcaster to bring viewers the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) Morocco 2025™ when the 35th edition of the celebration of African football kicks off in Morocco on December 21.

The massive African football showpiece will be broadcast in English, French, Portuguese and indigenous languages, following SuperSport’s deal for English-speaking broadcast rights of the 35th edition.

In a statement, CANAL+ and SuperSport indicate the broadcaster will offer SuperSport viewers “the most comprehensive football viewing experience that any sports broadcaster has ever managed to accomplish for Africa’s greatest football competition”.

This was announced yesterday, November 6 when SuperSport concluded a broadcast rights deal with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the right to broadcast the tournament in English and Portuguese-speaking Sub-Saharan African territories.

At the event, CANAL+ Africa CEO, David Mignot, said: “Our newly-formed merger with the MultiChoice Group has already unlocked opportunities and benefits for our customers and this year’s TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 is a great demonstration of the power and potential of this common ambition — bringing together our expertise to offer unprecedented coverage.

“Moreover, broadcasting this competition in different languages is a strong way to build closeness with our viewers. For all these reasons, our subscribers will be part of the most spectacular celebration of African football.”

On his part, CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, said this was an exciting day for CAF and for African football as the TotalEnergies AfCON takes place in Morocco in December, “Africans everywhere — on the continent and across the diaspora — will be watching with pride.

“Millions will follow the games on television, celebrating the best that African football has to offer. In Côte d’Ivoire, the last AfCON attracted approximately 1.5 billion viewers globally. We anticipate that this edition will be an even greater success, reaching new audiences and inspiring the world once again.

“When 180 nations express interest in broadcasting the AfCON, it is proof that the world is excited about African football,” Motsepe said.

MultiChoice director of sport content-English & Portuguese-speaking Africa, Rendani Ramovha said they are especially proud to be able to bring the story of the AfCON Morocco 2025™, live to all viewers in English and Portuguese-speaking Sub-Saharan African territories.

“SuperSport has been the preferred choice for millions of passionate fans across the continent, and this tournament won’t be different, as we will have a dedicated SuperSport AfCON channel.

“As part of the CANAL+ Group, we can take that viewing experience to another level, which means people can expect more compelling viewing, brought to them in a language of their choice. It is truly poised to be a celebration of African glory.”

SuperSport assures viewers that they will be able to view its coverage of AfCON Morocco 2025 on DStv and GOtv, while CANAL+ subscribers will enjoy the action on CANAL+ Sport and on demand using the CANAL+ app.

In Nigeria and surrounding regions, fans can enjoy the matches in English or Pidgin, while Swahili is available in East African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda while in Angola, South Africa and Mozambique, fans have become accustomed to enjoying the beautiful game in Portuguese.

South Africans, meanwhile, will also enjoy games in isiZulu and Setswana on top of the standard English and Portuguese commentary.

CANAL+ and SuperSport’s coverage of the tournament will include stellar line-ups of star analysts, commentators, presenters and African football legends, who will bring their unique takes on the AfCON Morocco 2025™ in 44 days to come.

Council for Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) will be represented by seven members, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Comoros, Mozambique and Botswana.

Zambia and Comoros are in Group A alongside hosts Morocco and Mali in what has been described as a hotly contested pool while South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe in one group alongside record seven-time winners Egypt.

Mozambique are up against defending champions Côte d’Ivoire in Group F alongside Cameroon and Gabon while Botswana — who are making their second appearance at the AfCON — are in Group D with 2021 champions Senegal alongside Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Benin.

Reigning champions, Côte d’Ivoire, who will be looking to claim back-to-back titles, will have face old rivals and five-time winners, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon — with Nigeria locking horns in Group C with Tunisia and the East African duo of Uganda and Tanzania, who will co-host the AfCON in 2027.

Algeria, winners in 2019, take on Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan in Group E to decide the top two teams in each pool who will advance to the round of 16, along with the four best 3rd-placed sides.

Out of the seven COSAFA representatives, only Zambia and South Africa have lifted the title, with the Chipolopolo in 2012 and Bafana Bafana in 1996.

Zambia are preparing to make their 19th appearance at the continental finals and after lifting the title in dramatic fashion against Côte d’Ivoire at the Gabon 2012 finals. The Chipolopolo are yet to find their rhythm at the AfCON finals, with their last appearance in Côte d’Ivoire ending in the group stages.

Zambia have had six podium finishes from their previous 18 appearances — runners up twice in 1974 and 1994, three-time bronze medallists in 1982, 1990 and 1994 and champions in 2012.

Zambia’s AfCON 2012 triumph in Gabon was in the same country of the tragic aeroplane crash in 1993 where their entire squad tragically died.

For the first time in 37 years, Morocco will host the continent’s premier football event, promising a tournament of world-class standards and unforgettable moments, and according to CAFonline, the atmosphere in Morocco is reaching fever pitch.

“Morocco’s preparations have been praised by CAF for their efficiency and innovation,” reports CAFonline. “Having successfully staged recent CAF tournaments including the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2024 and the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025, the Kingdom has earned widespread recognition for its organisation and hospitality.

“Away from the pitch, Morocco’s cultural richness and passion for football will ensure that visiting fans experience more than just 90 minutes of action. From fan zones to street festivals, the Kingdom is set to provide an all-encompassing celebration of African unity and sporting excellence.”