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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 78630, member: 636"]
The Atlas Lions of Morocco are the heavy favorites for the tournament on home soil. They carry the top ranking in Africa after their deep World Cup run, but face massive pressure from sold-out stadiums to win their first title in decades. Key player Achraf Hakimi is a fitness question, though the squad is still expected to easily advance from their group.

The event's mid-season timing, forced by a crowded global calendar, caused major issues. FIFA's late rule change on player release dates angered coaches from teams like Mali and Comoros, wrecking their preparation camps. The organizing body relies on this biannual tournament for vital funding, despite the scheduling headaches it creates for European clubs.

Other contenders face their own drama. Cameroon’s buildup was chaotic, with a fired coach and big names like Onana dropped to change the team's mentality. Algeria, with in-form scorer Amoura, looks strong. South Africa presents a cohesive unit under a past winning coach. While a first-time champion is unlikely among the many past winners present, nations like Tanzania are building for their future co-hosting duties.
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