The 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) burst into life on Sunday night in Morocco with a dazzling opening ceremony that placed African music, identity and global culture firmly at the heart of the continent’s biggest football spectacle.
Moments before hosts Morocco locked horns with Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, millions of viewers across Africa and beyond were treated to an elaborate musical and visual showcase that underlined CAF’s ambition to position AFCON 2025 as both a sporting and cultural statement to the world.
At the centre of the spectacle was a star-studded performance titled “Le Show”, headlined by French Montana, Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido and Moroccan-born global producer RedOne.
The trio’s appearance set the tone for a tournament that seeks to celebrate Africa’s diversity, creativity and global influence far beyond the pitch.
French Montana, born in Morocco and raised in the United States, brought a powerful sense of homecoming to the opening night. One of the most recognisable African-born figures in global hip-hop, his presence symbolised Morocco’s role as host nation and its position as a cultural bridge between Africa, Europe and the wider world.
His performance resonated strongly with the diaspora narrative that has become an increasingly visible part of Africa’s global cultural footprint.
Davido’s entrance drew a thunderous reaction inside the stadium and across social media.
The Nigerian music icon, whose career has helped propel Afrobeats onto the world’s biggest stages, delivered the energy, confidence and celebration that have become hallmarks of both his music and Africa’s modern cultural resurgence.
For CAF, Davido’s participation reflected the tournament’s youthful spirit and its alignment with a generation that sees African football and music as global forces in their own right.
Completing the trio was RedOne, the Moroccan-born producer whose behind-the-scenes influence has shaped international pop music for years. His inclusion highlighted Africa’s creative impact not only in front of the microphone but also in the global production and business of music.
Together, the three artists converged in a carefully choreographed performance of sound, light and movement that projected unity, rhythm and momentum to a worldwide television audience.
Beyond “Le Show”, music remained a defining feature of the opening ceremony with the live performance of the official TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 anthem.
The song brought together three artists from different generations and musical worlds: Angélique Kidjo, L’Artiste and Jaylann.
Few African artists carry the cultural weight and global respect of Angélique Kidjo.
The Beninese singer, songwriter and activist, a five-time Grammy Award winner, has spent more than three decades blending traditional African sounds with funk, jazz, R&B and Latin influences.
Her voice has travelled the world, collaborating with international stars while remaining firmly rooted in African heritage. Beyond music, Kidjo’s work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador has amplified her role as a cultural and social advocate.
Her involvement in the AFCON 2025 anthem added depth, history and international gravitas to the tournament’s soundtrack.
L’Artiste, born Youssef Akdim, represented a different but equally influential strand of African creativity.
The French-Moroccan star rose to prominence with Maestro in 2016 and went on to dominate charts with hits such as Clandestino, Chocolat, Missile – Acte II and Ciao Amigo. His music, shaped between Africa and Europe, has become a staple of global urban playlists.
By featuring L’Artiste, AFCON 2025 tapped into contemporary youth culture and the cross-border sounds that define today’s African pop identity.
Jaylann, the youngest of the trio, carried the pride of the host nation onto the continental stage.
The Moroccan singer has emerged as one of the country’s most promising new voices, building a strong following through modern production, digital platforms and a sound that resonates with younger audiences.
Performing the official AFCON anthem on home soil placed Jaylann at the heart of a defining national and continental moment, blending Morocco’s present and future in one performance.
The opening ceremony also saw Davido return to the stage later in the night, thrilling fans with a medley of his hit songs and trademark energetic moves.
His performance was widely seen as a celebration of African popular culture’s growing global confidence, with Nigeria’s Afrobeats influence once again commanding international attention.
The ceremony officially signalled the start of a month-long football festival that will run until January 18, with 24 national teams competing across six host cities — Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Fez and Agadir — using nine stadiums. Morocco is hosting the finals for the first time since 1988, and organisers have framed AFCON 2025 as one of the most ambitious editions in the tournament’s history.
As the first ball was kicked, AFCON Morocco 2025 made it clear that this tournament is about more than football. It is a celebration of African identity, creativity and global relevance — a fusion of sport and culture designed to resonate far beyond the stadium lights and the final whistle.
