Teams use FIFA window to prepare for TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025

Teams competing in next month’s TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 finals are wasting no time in the November international window to continue preparations for the tournament in Morocco.

The only competitive action in Africa across the November international window comes in the World Cup playoffs in Morocco, featuring Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Nigeria.

But with the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco now just one month away, there are a bevy of friendly games for the other finalists who are not involved in World Cup action.

Algeria: Two matches in Saudi Arabia are other menu items for the ‘Fennecs’, starting with Zimbabwe in Jeddah on November 13 and then the host nation, also at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City on November 18.

Angola: To celebrate 50 years of independence, Angola has organised a prestige friendly against Argentina in Luanda on November 14, in which Lionel Messi will play, and then will take on Lusophone rivals Guinea Bissau in the same stadium four days later.

Benin: After their World Cup disappointment, Benin has a single fixture in the window against Burkina Faso on November 18. It is being hosted in Casablanca.

Botswana: The Botswana Football Association has said it is deliberately resting players so that they can be called up earlier in December for intensive pre-season preparations.

Burkina Faso: A double date for ‘Les Étalons’ in Morocco, where they will be playing in Casablanca against Niger on 14 November and then fellow finalists Benin four days later.

Comoros: The Indian Ocean islanders are playing at home for the first time since a 1-0 win over Ghana in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November 2023. They will host Namibia in two matches in Moroni on 14 and 17 November.

Côte d’Ivoire: The reigning African champions take on Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on 14 November in a clash against former coach Hervé Renard and then go to Muscat to play Oman four days later.

Egypt: Hossam Hassan will take his squad to the United Arab Emirates for a four-team tournament, where they will take on Uzbekistan on 14 November and then the winner of the clash between Cape Verde and Iran in Al Ain four days later.

Equatorial Guinea: Nzalang Nacional are off to Turkey for two friendlies in Antalya, starting on 14 November against Kenya and then three days later versus Madagascar.

Mali: ‘Les Aigles’ have elected to play a single friendly and take on World Cup finalists Jordan on 18 November in Tunis. Coach Tom Saintfiet feels Jordan plays a similar style to Morocco, whom they will meet in Group A on 26 December.

Morocco: The Cup of Nations hosts are playing two internationals at home against Mozambique on 14 November in Tangier and then Uganda at the same venue four days later, looking to extend their world record-breaking run of victories.

Mozambique: The Mambas will welcome the opportunity to get some early practice in Moroccan conditions, taking on the World Cup semi-finalist in Tangier and then having a second friendly against Chad on 17 November in Berrechid.

Senegal: A prestige friendly awaits against Brazil on 15 November at the Emirates Stadium in London. They then go to Antalya in Turkey three days later, where they will meet Kenya’s Harambee Stars.

Sudan: The Sudanese national side will have a single warm-up game in Oman on 14 November.

South Africa: Coach Hugo Broos said he did not want to increase the load on players already furiously busy with domestic fixtures and African club competition, and so Bafana play a single warm-up against Zambia in Gqeberha.

Tanzania: The Taifa Stars have made a coaching switch as Argentine Miguel Gamondi takes over and begins his tenure in charge with a friendly against Kuwait in Cairo on 15 November.

Tunisia: The North Africans are squeezing in three friendlies in a crowded schedule, against Mauritania on 12 November, Jordan two days later, before they fly to France to meet Brazil on 18 November in Lille, France.

Uganda: The Cranes head to Morocco, where Chad will be their first opponent at the Stade Berrechid on 14 November, followed by a tough task against the hosts in Tangier on 18 November.

Zambia: New coach Moses Sichone gets a baptism of fire on 15 November in Gqeberha against South Africa and then away in Burundi on 18 November as he takes charge for the first time since replacing Avram Grant.

Zimbabwe: Two tough matches await new coach Mario Marinica as the Warriors take on fellow Cup of Nations finalists Algeria in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 13 November and then Qatar thereafter.