Morocco wins continental eFootball title, showcasing Africa’s esports talent
Morocco defeats Côte d’Ivoire at E‑CAN 2026 as 37 African nations compete, highlighting the rise of professional esports across the continent.
Morocco.- Morocco’s national eFootball Mobile team was crowned champion at the Africa eFootball Championship 2026 (E‑CAN 2026) after defeating Côte d’Ivoire in a tense penalty shootout on January 15-16.
The championship was organised by the African Confederation of Electronic Sports (ACES) with support from the Royal Moroccan Federation of Video Games, demonstrating increasing institutional support for esports in Africa. Teams from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia and other nations participated, reflecting the continent-wide reach of competitive gaming.
The scale and diversity of the two-day event illustrated how Africa is moving beyond grassroots competitions toward fully organised, high-level esports tournaments. An Africa Press report said: “The event brought together 37 African nations, testifying to the rapid rise of electronic sport on the continent.”
Africa’s esport evolution
Kenya’s Hanningtone Kiplagat was a standout performer, advancing to the quarterfinals after strong group and knockout-stage performances before narrowly losing to Morocco’s champion. Reflecting on the experience, Kiplagat called representing his country “a dream come true” and highlighted the lessons in focus and resilience he gained from the tournament, according to Capital FM.
E‑CAN 2026 highlights that African esports is evolving into a structured, professional ecosystem, offering players a platform to showcase talent while federations collaborate on governance and development. Morocco’s victory and the tournament’s scale signal that esports in Africa is gaining prominence, producing competitive talent and attracting attention on a global stage.
