The Elephants lifted their third AFCON trophy with a 2-1 win over Nigeria on home soil in 2023.

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They kick off their 2025 AFCON campaign underway against Mozambique at Stade de Marrakech on Wednesday evening.

While they are favourites to beat The Mambas, Kessie’s side won’t have it all their own way in Group F that also contains Cameroon and Gabon.

Speaking to CAFonline, the Al-Ahli midfielder said the defending champions will need to be at their best in Morocco as they start the tournament with a target on their backs.

Kessie said: “We are a team everyone wants to beat, and that inevitably brings extra pressure. But we took that into account from the start of our preparation. We know what it represents and we have worked to be ready to handle that responsibility.

“We worked on every aspect — technically, mentally and physically. The goal was to be ready not only on the pitch but also off it. In a competition like AFCON, mental management and team cohesion are just as important as tactical work.

“We have worked seriously and we feel ready. We are really looking forward to getting our campaign underway.”

On facing Mozambique, the player added: “We have a lot of respect for Mozambique. They are a solid team that plays without fear. But we also know what we want to do.

“Football is about being able to seize opportunities and score when they arise. We want to impose our game while remaining disciplined.”