THE MAGIC OF THE CUP OF NATIONS<\/p>\n
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations reaches its big finale in 2026 on Sunday, having rolled on through the annual festive time warp, outlasting Enzo Maresca, Ruben Amorim and Ryan Mason Xabi Alonso. Some Premier League teams will have played games in four different competitions by the time they welcome their players home. Wedged into the domestic calendar\u2019s most crowded months, Afcon can get overlooked and more\u2019s the pity, because the 2025-26 tournament has been a vintage edition. The group stage may have lacked big surprises but was still packed with late twists<\/a>, ridiculous goals<\/a> and dramatic storylines. Two different coaches named Cameroon squads amid a pre-tournament power struggle; their first opponents, Gabon, were disbanded by their government<\/a> after going out early (a decision quietly reversed this week). Sudan and Mozambique earned historic victories, bringing light to fans suffering through conflict. We were introduced to Kuka Mboladinga, the sharply-dressed, statuesque DR Congo fan<\/a> who we all hope will make it to next summer\u2019s Geopolitics World Cup.<\/p>\n In the knockout stages, the tension turned up and star names stepped forward. Brahim D\u00edaz led hosts Morocco through a major wobble against Tanzania, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman made Nigeria look like the team to beat, and Mohamed Salah helped Egypt battle past outsiders Benin and defending champions C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire. Algeria\u2019s Adil Boulbina scored a screamer<\/a> in the 119th minute to eliminate DR Congo \u2013 then toppled over right in front of Mboladinga, who remained admirably stony-faced. In the semi-finals, Sadio Man\u00e9 reminded us that he very much still has it, an instinctive late strike undoing an ultra-cautious Egypt and sparing us all the 30 minutes of extra time.<\/p>\n Morocco, burdened by huge expectations on home soil, toiled against a Nigeria side whose attacking verve deserted them, in a semi-final so lacking in action, it almost added to the sense of occasion<\/a>. Having the continent\u2019s best keeper paid off as Yassine Bounou saved two penalties in the shootout. The losers\u2019 punishment for playing it too safe: having to take part in Saturday\u2019s third-place playoff. Sunday\u2019s final between Africa\u2019s two highest-ranked teams promises to bring the curtain down in style. Morocco are seeking their first continental title since 1976, and carrying the expectations of a nation. Senegal have been there before, winning their first Afcon crown in 2021 to end years of anguish. It\u2019s the best attacking side against the strongest defence, and is all but guaranteed to go to the wire: in the 21st century, nobody has won an Afcon final by more than a single goal, and six of the 13 showpiece games have gone to penalties. Truly, this is football heritage.<\/p>\n All of which makes Caf\u2019s decision<\/a> to switch Afcon to every four years from 2028 even more baffling and disappointing. The change was announced on the eve of the tournament, and several African football federations allege they were not consulted. \u201cWe\u2019re killing ourselves,\u201d one anonymous suit told Big Website. \u201cIf there had been a general assembly, it would never have passed.\u201d The Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, first pushed for the change back in 2020<\/a>, despite claiming three years later that \u201cwe need way more and not less competitions, we want football to develop worldwide\u201d. We\u2019re not sure how cutting back one of the planet\u2019s best international tournaments fits into that masterplan, but what do we know?<\/p>\n QUOTE OF THE DAY<\/p>\n \u201cA decision has already been taken, months ago. I had a meeting with Steve [Parish] in October, the international break. We had a very long talk, and I told him I will not sign a new contract. We agreed at the time it was best to keep it between us. It\u2019s the best that we could do that and keep it confidential for three months. But now it\u2019s important to have clarity, and we had a very busy schedule so that\u2019s why we didn\u2019t want to talk about it. Steve and I want the best for Crystal Palace\u201d \u2013 Eagles fans haven\u2019t had the best week: knocked out<\/a> of the FA Cup by Macclesfield, captain Marc Gu\u00e9hi imminently joining Manchester City<\/a> for a cut-price \u00a320m, and now Oliver Glasner announcing he will do one in the summer<\/a>. Yikes!<\/p>\n Oliver Glasner will be waving farewell to Palace fans at the end of the season. Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The Guardian<\/p>\n Re: yesterday\u2019s Football Daily<\/a>. When will the Football League realise that a one-legged Carling Cup semi-final tie at a neutral (non-Wembley) ground would be mint?\u201d \u2013 Francis Fowles.<\/p>\n After turning Manchester United into a joke in record time, Big Sir Jim\u2019s now providing moral support for his players<\/a> (yesterday\u2019s News, Bits and Bobs, full email edition). How about support for the supporters, starting with profuse apologies?\u201d \u2013 JJ Zucal.<\/p>\n I read Kachilapo Mulongoti\u2019s letter (yesterday\u2019s Football Daily letters<\/a>) with great interest, complaining about the \u2018many jokes\u2019 in the publication. As a long-time subscriber, I fear I\u2019ve been reading a different tea-timely football-related email. There\u2019s a version with jokes? Please sign me up\u201d \u2013 Mike Wilner (and 1,056 others).<\/p>\n Positioning one letter starting with the word \u2018congratulations\u2019 after another signed off from Harry Webb (yesterday\u2019s letters<\/a>)? And on the day when you\u2019re certain to be bombarded with 1,057 letters asking where the jokes are? Chapeau\u201d \u2013 Tim Grey.<\/p>\n If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com<\/a>. Today\u2019s winner of our prizeless letter o\u2019 the day is \u2026 JJ Zucal. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we have them, are here<\/a>.<\/p>\n