AFCON 2025: No Clear Favourite – Ekong Declares

AFCON 2025: No Clear Favourite – Ekong Declares

Sampson Adedeji

Super Eagles vice-captain William Troost-Ekong has maintained that there is no clear favourite to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Speaking ahead of the continental showpiece, the experienced defender noted that while many top teams are in contention, predicting a winner at AFCON remains difficult.

He recalled that during the last edition in Côte d’Ivoire, few expected Nigeria to reach the final, yet the team defied the odds to do so.

 In an interview with CAF Media, Ekong highlighted Morocco, hosts of the tournament, as well as defending champions Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, as strong contenders.

“I think that’s overstated. We’ve got an amazing squad too many players to name but objectively, Morocco are at home and in great form; Côte d’Ivoire are defending champions; Senegal too… there’s no such thing as a clear favourite at AFCON,” he said.

“Last time, not many tipped us to go that far. You can’t win a tournament with expectations, and we won’t get complacent. AFCON is difficult, and strong teams can emerge from unexpected places. We trust ourselves, but I wouldn’t say we’re clear favourites,” he concluded.