{"id":1885,"date":"2026-01-04T03:56:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T03:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/1885\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T03:56:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T03:56:25","slug":"fans-bring-life-to-the-africa-cup-of-nations-in-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/1885\/","title":{"rendered":"Fans bring life to the Africa Cup of Nations, in photos"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>RABAT, Morocco (AP) \u2014 Fans play a big part in the Africa Cup of Nations. Many wear wigs, face paints and costumes as they support their nation\u2019s team, from the <a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/africa-cup-nicknames-afcon-808156be5b8eeebc042f6e19664b1ecc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pharaohs of Egypt to the Atlas Lions<\/a> of host Morocco. The <a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/africa-cup-afcon-last-16-teams-knockout-6c57def913d516da1493abdb067364a2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">knockout stage<\/a> of Africa\u2019s biggest soccer tournament starts Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.<\/p>\n<p>___<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-500000\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Morocco fans wait for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767498982_938_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Morocco fans wait for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)<\/p>\n<p>Morocco fans wait for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-500001\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A senegal fan cheers during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"433\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767498982_920_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A senegal fan cheers during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)<\/p>\n<p>A senegal fan cheers during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-500002\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A fan wats for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa'ab Elshamy)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767498982_710_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A fan wats for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa\u2019ab Elshamy)<\/p>\n<p>A fan wats for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa\u2019ab Elshamy)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-500003\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A DR Congo fan cheers prior to the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Botswana and DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa'ab Elshamy)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767498983_640_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A DR Congo fan cheers prior to the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Botswana and DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa\u2019ab Elshamy)<\/p>\n<p>A DR Congo fan cheers prior to the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Botswana and DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa\u2019ab Elshamy)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-500004\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A Moroccan fan waits for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767498984_759_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A Moroccan fan waits for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)<\/p>\n<p>A Moroccan fan waits for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-500007\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Senegal fans cheer their team during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767498984_611_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Senegal fans cheer their team during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)<\/p>\n<p>Senegal fans cheer their team during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-500005\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A Mali soccer fan waits for the start of the African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match between Morocco and Mali in Rabat, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa'ab Elshamy)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767498984_12_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A Mali soccer fan waits for the start of the African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match between Morocco and Mali in Rabat, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa\u2019ab Elshamy)<\/p>\n<p>A Mali soccer fan waits for the start of the African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match between Morocco and Mali in Rabat, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa\u2019ab Elshamy)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-500006\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A DR Congo fan cheers prior to the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Botswana and DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa'ab Elshamy)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767498984_195_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A DR Congo fan cheers prior to the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Botswana and DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa\u2019ab Elshamy)<\/p>\n<p>A DR Congo fan cheers prior to the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Botswana and DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa\u2019ab Elshamy)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-500008\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Ivory Coast fans during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Ivory Coast and Cameroon, in Marrakech, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767498984_215_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Ivory Coast fans during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Ivory Coast and Cameroon, in Marrakech, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)<\/p>\n<p>Ivory Coast fans during the Africa Cup of Nations group F soccer match between Ivory Coast and Cameroon, in Marrakech, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-500009\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"A DR Congo fans cheer prior to the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Botswana and DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa'ab Elshamy)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767498984_712_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A DR Congo fans cheer prior to the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Botswana and DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa\u2019ab Elshamy)<\/p>\n<p>A DR Congo fans cheer prior to the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Botswana and DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mosa\u2019ab Elshamy)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-50000a\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Senegal fans support their national team during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)\"  fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767498985_494_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Senegal fans support their national team during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)<\/p>\n<p>Senegal fans support their national team during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo\/Themba Hadebe)<\/p>\n<p>                Add AP News on Google <\/p>\n<p>        Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.<\/p>\n<p>            Share<\/p>\n<p>                            Read More<\/p>\n<p>AP at the Africa Cup: <a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/africa-cup-of-nations\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/africa-cup-of-nations<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"RABAT, Morocco (AP) \u2014 Fans play a big part in the Africa Cup of Nations. Many wear wigs,&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1886,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[63,762,1987,323,264,1986,242],"class_list":{"0":"post-1885","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-africa","8":"tag-africa","9":"tag-general-news","10":"tag-photo-galleries","11":"tag-soccer","12":"tag-sports","13":"tag-trending-photo","14":"tag-world-news"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1885"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1885\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1886"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}