Fez — Morocco’s ‘AFCON 2025’ opening weekend will start with a major live free concert in Rabat led by French Montana and Davido, as CAF and TotalEnergies roll out what they describe as an expanded entertainment program tied to the tournament.
A fan-zone opener with tournament-scale ambitions
CAF said the concert will be staged at the “OLM Souissi Fan Zone” and designed to bring supporters together from across Africa and beyond before the first match is played. The show is part of a wider fan-park concept that blends screenings, performances, and activities in official gathering spaces.
French Montana and Davido bring two different global lanes
French Montana, born Karim Kharbouch in Morocco, is being framed by organizers as a symbolic homecoming headliner. He broke through internationally with releases including “Excuse My French” and “Jungle Rules,” and his hit “Unforgettable” became one of his most globally recognized tracks.
Davido, one of Afrobeats’ biggest global exports, arrives in Rabat with a catalog that helped push the genre onto international charts and festival stages. CAF’s announcement highlighted his run of major albums including “A Good Time,” “A Better Time,” and “Timeless,” and positioned his appearance as a continental statement ahead of kickoff.
A Morocco-meets-diaspora supporting lineup
The bill also includes Moroccan singer Douaa Lahyaoui, whom CAF presented as a standout voice of a new generation, with online traction and major-stage appearances. Her releases include tracks such as “Hyati Ana” and “Dini M3ak,” which helped build her digital audience.
Says’z adds an Indian Ocean link: the artist’s published biography traces a path from France to childhood years in Moroni, Comoros, and a career shaped by melodic rap and Afro-influenced pop, including tracks like “Umani.”
Franco-Moroccan artist Lartiste, born Youssef Akdim near Marrakech, rounds out the lineup with a cross-genre style and hitmaking history that includes songs like “Chocolat” and “Mafiosa.”
Entry: Fan ID required for official fan areas
CAF has tied official fan-area access to the tournament’s “FAN ID” system, stating that a Fan ID is mandatory for entry to stadiums and official fan areas, and is managed through the “Yalla” platform.
The bigger picture: culture first, football next
The concert lands one day before AFCON 2025 officially begins on December 21 and runs through January 18, with Rabat among the key host hubs. CAF’s messaging suggests Morocco is aiming to set the tournament mood through music as much as matchday spectacle.
