An Early Look At The AFCON 2025 Contenders | OneFootball

The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will kick off in Morocco in December, straddling the turn of the year and pausing – only briefly – for Christmas Day.

Part of AFCON’s beauty and unique intrigue lies in its utter unpredictability. Over the last eight editions of the tournament, there have been seven different winners. Only the reigning champions, Ivory Coast, have won it more than once since 2010.

Here are the teams to look out for at the 2025 AFCON – from favourites to dark horses – with some odds courtesy of FIRST.com.

The contenders

Morocco

Morocco have not won the AFCON since 1976, which marks a vast underachievement for a nation that has provided many elite footballers in recent decades.

But rarely in the nearly 50 years since their last triumph have the Atlas Lions stood such a strong chance of ending their long wait to once again be crowned champions of Africa as they did this year.

After a remarkable run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022, Morocco are the highest-ranked African nation.

Led by captain and Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi, versatile Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui, and Real Madrid playmaker Brahim Diaz – who switched allegiance from Spain last year – they qualified with a 100 per cent record, scoring 26 goals and conceding only two.

Morocco are 11/4 favourites for the tournament.

Algeria

There remains within Algeria’s ranks the fading embers of their triumphant 2019 AFCON squad, including 34-year-old Riyad Mahrez, who led the Saudi Pro League in assists last season and is still capable of dazzling on his day.

There is a new star of the Algerian attack, however, in the form of Marseille striker Amine Gouiri.

The 25-year-old former France youth international made his debut for the Greens in 2023 and finished as the third-highest scorer in AFCON qualifying.

Algeria are a 6/1 shot for AFCON glory in Morocco.

Egypt

With seven titles, Egypt have won AFCON more than any other nation, yet the fact that their last triumph came way back in 2010 suggests they have not fully capitalised on the talent they have produced.

Most notably, of course, Mohamed Salah, in the last decade and a half.

Going into the next edition of the competition, they will possess the most deadly frontline at the tournament in Salah, Manchester City’s new star Omar Marmoush, and high-scoring winger, former Aston Villa Trezeguet.

They are currently priced at 6/1 to land an eighth AFCON crown.

Senegal

Like Algeria and Egypt, Senegal will field an attacking unit headlined by an ageing Premier League great. Sadio Mane turned 33 this month and so he could be playing in his last AFCON.

The former Liverpool icon’s 2024-25 season with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia has not been as prolific as his first, in which he scored 19 goals.

But the two-time African Player of the Year remains deadly on the international stage, with six goals from 12 caps in 2024.

Mane will be supported in attack by the likes of Ismaila Sarr and Nicholas Jackson, with Pape Matar Sarr and Lamine Camara providing midfield ballast for a Lions of Teranga side talented enough to repeat their 2021 AFCON triumph – they are priced at 13/2 to do so.

Nigeria

Nigeria will once again have the talent to go far in the tournament, but, AFCON winners just once in the last 30 years, they must overcome their propensity for underperformance in the continental championship.

They came close in 2023, beaten 2-1 in the final by the host nation, Ivory Coast. Given the club form of Fulham winger Alex Iwobi, Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, and on-loan Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen.

Nigeria have a level of star power the envy of any squad at the tournament. They are currently 10/1 to land a first AFCON title since 2010.

Ivory Coast

Priced at 12/1, the reigning champions are not considered to be among the frontrunners for the 2025 AFCON.

Ivory Coast were surprise winners on home soil last time around. In Morocco this coming December, they face the mantle of defending their title.

And while the oddsmakers don’t appear to fancy their chances, with young stars such as Amad Diallo, Simon Adingra, and Oumar Diakite, they are prime candidates to spring another upset.

Cameroon

The bitter war of words between federation president Samuel Eto’o and national team head coach Marc Brys makes for a far from ideal backdrop for success. But despite this hostility, Cameroon cruised through qualifying.

Veteran captain Vincent Aboubakar remains the totem of Cameroon’s attack, but the 33-year-old should have ample creative and goal-scoring support from Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.

Behind them, Napoli midfielder Franck Zambo-Anguissa and Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana form the basis of a formidable spine. At 18/1, Cameroon are outsiders, but the 2017 AFCON champions shouldn’t be overlooked.