The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off in Morocco in what was one of the most colourful and lively opening ceremonies in many years. Thousands of fans attended the opening ceremonies at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat to experience a celebration of cultures through music, dance, and sports. Headlining the show was Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Davido, who performed to the packed stadium in what was a colourful start to the games. He was lined up alongside Moroccan-American rapper French Montana and renowned producer RedOne in a show that had the packed stadium cheering in delight. Davido and his team performed a live version of the tournament’s soundtrack.
The presence of Davido in the event was more than just providing entertainment to the guests in attendance. It represented an occurrence when music in African countries meets sports on one continent, showing how the continent’s talents have gone beyond boundaries. Fans celebrated on social media when the musician’s performance was shared online, with gushing supporters in fan zones. The musician’s performance has continued to serve as an example, with international musicians bringing life to important sports programs by delivering an energetic show that showcases local as well as international popularity.
The drama did not end on stage. Before the opening match in group C pitting Nigeria against Tanzania, controversial artist Davido got the world talking by staking a massive bet that the Super Eagles will win and there will be goals on both sides. The image of the huge bet placed on the Super Eagles to win, with the scores level on both sides, was shared on the artist’s social platform and got many talking. However, such a mix of music, fan engagement, and personal interests can be seen to represent the ever-growing significance of AFCON in culture rather than on the pitch. As Davido’s performance is still being remembered and the Super Eagles are preparing to step out onto the pitch, it is clear that the post-pitch action at AFCON 2025 is as intriguing as it will be on the pitch.
