Four African football legends—Mustapha Hadji, Serge Aurier, Aliou Cisse, and Joseph Yobo—will play key roles at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 Final Draw.
The ceremony is set to take place at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat on Monday, 27 January 2025, at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT | 20h00 Cairo).
READ ALSO: Gov. Otti’s Support Inspires Abia Warriors – Obuh
These icons will assist in drawing teams into their groups and offer insights into the tournament, scheduled from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026 in Morocco.
Each legend has a rich history with the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, having achieved remarkable feats both on and off the pitch.
The Legends and Their Contributions
Mustapha Hadji (Morocco)
A revered Moroccan footballer, Hadji was named African Footballer of the Year in 1998.
With 63 caps and 12 international goals, he represented Morocco in two FIFA World Cups and multiple AFCON tournaments.
Known for his winner against Egypt in the 1998 AFCON, Hadji also had a storied club career in France, Portugal, Spain, and England. In 2011, he was honored with the CAF Legends Award.
Serge Aurier (Côte d’Ivoire)
Aurier, a two-time AFCON champion (2015 and 2023), is a cornerstone of Côte d’Ivoire’s national team, with 93 caps and four goals.
The right-back has had an illustrious club career at Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur, and other teams.
A consistent performer, he was named in the CAF Team of the Year four times between 2015 and 2019.
Aliou Cisse (Senegal)
Cisse captained Senegal to the 2002 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals and the AFCON final the same year.
As a player, he earned 35 caps and later transitioned to coaching, leading Senegal to their first AFCON title in 2021.
Cisse, who also coached Senegal in the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, was named CAF Coach of the Year in 2022.
Joseph Yobo (Nigeria)
Yobo, a stalwart of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, made 101 appearances over his 13-year career.
He captained Nigeria to AFCON glory in 2013 and participated in six AFCON tournaments and three FIFA World Cups.
Yobo also enjoyed a stellar club career, notably with Everton in England, and remains a beloved figure in African football.
The 24 teams qualified for the tournament will discover their paths to glory during the draw.
With these African football legends adding their expertise and passion, the event is expected to set the stage for an unforgettable tournament celebrating the unity and excellence of African football.
