AFCON 2025: Who Are The Favourites?

AFCON 2025: Who Are The Favourites?

With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations just weeks away (December 21 – January 18) in Morocco, excitement is building across the continent. As always, the tournament promises drama, surprises, and fierce competition. Here’s a breakdown of the top contenders and the outsiders who could shake things up.

Morocco

As hosts and World Cup 2022 semi-finalists, Morocco enters as the clear favourite. The Atlas Lions are riding an astonishing 14-game winning streak and boast a golden generation led by captain Achraf Hakimi, ranked sixth in the last Ballon d’Or. 

Backed by a passionate home crowd, Walid Regragui’s men are under pressure to deliver. Their shock Round of 16 exit in 2023 at the hands of South Africa serves as a reminder: nothing is guaranteed in African football.

Senegal

Champions in 2021 but humbled in 2023, Senegal are back with renewed hunger. 

New coach Pape Thiaw has blended experience with youth, relying on stars like Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Idrissa Gana Gueye, alongside rising talents Pape Matar Sarr, Habib Diarra, and El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Their unbeaten qualification campaign and dramatic World Cup qualifier comeback in the DRC showcased resilience.

The Lions of Teranga look like Morocco’s most dangerous challengers.

Algeria

Despite criticism since his appointment, Vladimir Petkovic has kept Algeria steady. 

The Fennecs sailed through both AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, mixing veterans with young standouts like Mohamed Amoura and Anis Hadj Moussa.

While Riyad Mahrez insists “the pressure is on Morocco,” Algeria has enough quality to aim for the semi-finals and possibly beyond.

Egypt

Seven-time champions Egypt are showing signs of revival under Hossam Hassan. 

Unbeaten in 12 competitive games since his arrival, the Pharaohs combine a strong local-based squad with global stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

Knocked out by DR Congo in 2023, Egypt is determined to bounce back. Their experience makes them perennial contenders.

South Africa

Once considered outsiders, South Africa is now a genuine contender. 

Third-place finishers in 2023 after stunning Morocco, Bafana Bafana have built a cohesive, attractive side under Hugo Broos. With many players from Mamelodi Sundowns, they rely on teamwork rather than individual stars.

Unbeaten in qualifying, they’ll no longer be underestimated.

Ivory Coast

The defending champions return under a different atmosphere. Emerse Faé’s Elephants have shown inconsistency, with narrow wins and costly defeats to Sierra Leone and Zambia. 

Still, their roster is stacked with talent, and history proves champions are never to be dismissed. The key will be avoiding overconfidence, as seen in 2017 when they crashed out in the group stage.

Nigeria

Always brimming with talent but rarely convincing, Nigeria remains a puzzle. Runners-up in 2023 but struggling in World Cup qualifiers, the Super Eagles boast stars like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Samuel Chukwueze. Yet coach Eric Chelle is still searching for the right balance. If they click, Nigeria could soar but inconsistency remains their biggest obstacle. 

Dark Horses

Cameroon

Surrounded by political and administrative turmoil, Cameroon arrives under pressure. The ongoing feud between coach Marc Brys and Samuel Eto’o hasn’t derailed results, with 12 unbeaten games before a slip in Cape Verde. With five AFCON titles, the Indomitable Lions thrive in big moments and could disrupt the favourites.

Mali & DR Congo Mali, still haunted by their quarter-final exit in 2023, remains a dangerous side despite coaching changes. DR Congo, fourth last time out, showed both promise and limitations most notably in their 3-2 World Cup qualifier loss to Senegal. Both remain capable of springing surprises. 

Sampson Adedeji