AFCON 2025 Favorites Predictions | The Teams Most Likely to Lift the Trophy

Sports Stories 19 December 2025 Hits: 123

AFCON 2025 will feel different before a ball is even kicked!

The tournament begins on December 21st in Morocco, not in the usual January heat, but in much cooler conditions. Temperatures are expected to range between 8°C and 18°C, a big change from the hot and humid AFCONs players are used to.

That shift matters. Games may be faster. Pressing may last longer. Teams used to playing in Europe could feel more comfortable, while others will need to adjust quickly.

With that in mind, these predictions look at the teams best placed to handle the conditions, the pressure, and the long road to the trophy. AFCON still promises surprises, but some squads clearly arrive better prepared than others.

Here are the main contenders heading into the tournament.

⭐Our AFCON 2025 Favourites

Photo credit ( Getty Images)

Based on squad quality, recent performances, and tournament experience, these teams stand out before the first ball is kicked.

▪️Morocco
▪️Senegal
▪️Nigeria
▪️Egypt
▪️Algeria

They are not perfect teams. They are just the ones most people expect to still be around late in the tournament.

🇲🇦 Morocco Starts as Hosts and That Matters 🏠⚽

Photo Credit ( CAF Online)

Morocco have not won AFCON since 1976, but this is a very different team from the past. They reached the World Cup semi finals in 2022, and many of their players now compete at the top level in Europe. On top of that, they will play the tournament at home. Home support helps. It also brings pressure. If Morocco handles that pressure well, they have the squad to go all the way.

🇸🇳 Senegal Look Solid in Every Area 💪⚽

Photo Credit ( CAF Online)

Senegal won AFCON in 2021 and their squad remains strong. Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly give them stability at the back. Pape Matar Sarr and Lamine Camara provide balance in midfield. Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson lead the attack. They do not rely on one player, which makes them difficult to stop over a full tournament.

🇳🇬 Nigeria Have the Talent but Must Stay Focused ⚽🦅

Photo Credit (CAF Online)

Nigeria reached the final in 2023 and came very close to winning it. They have one of the most talented squads at the tournament. Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze can all decide games. If Nigeria stays organised and disciplined, they have everything needed to lift the trophy.

🇪🇬 Egypt Rely on Experience and Big Players 👑⚽

Photo Credit ( CAF Online)

Egypt have won AFCON 7 times, more than any other nation. They do not always dominate matches, but they understand tournament football. Mohamed Salah remains the key man. Omar Marmoush brings energy, while Trezeguet adds experience. Egypt knows how to manage difficult moments, and that often makes the difference at AFCON.

🇩🇿 Algeria Still Have Enough Quality to Compete ⚡️⚽

Algeria have struggled in recent tournaments, but the talent is still there. Riyad Mahrez remains the creative leader. Islam Slimani offers experience. Mohamed Amoura adds speed and direct play. If Algeria starts well and builds confidence, they are capable of beating any team in the competition.

Photo Credit ( MSport)

🥅 AFCON 2025 Top Scorer Candidates

▪️Victor Osimhen 🇳🇬:

Strong, direct, and clinical. He arrives in Morocco in peak form, having scored 12 goals in 16 matches for Galatasaray this season. Despite a massive career haul of 162 club goals, his tournament record is surprisingly lean, with only 1 goal scored in previous AFCON finals. He has never won the top scorer award, but if Nigeria go far, he will score

▪️Mohamed Salah 🇪🇬:

Egypt’s main attacker and penalty taker. He is the most prolific scorer on this list with 327 career club goals, though his production has slowed slightly with 5 goals in the 2025/26 season. While he has netted 7 goals across his AFCON history, he has never won the Golden Boot despite reaching two finals. Always a threat.

▪️Sebastian Haller 🇨🇮:

Scored the winning goal in the last final. Big moments suit him, which is vital as he enters the tournament with just 1 goal in 21 games this season. With 176 career goals and 3 total goals in AFCON tournaments, he relies on efficiency over volume and has also never won the top scorer award

🏆 Osimhen is the only candidate performing at an elite goal-scoring rate in the 2025/26 season (1 goal every 97 minutes). The shift to a winter tournament in Morocco favors his high-energy pressing style.

🔥 Final Thoughts Ahead of Kickoff

AFCON rarely goes exactly as planned, but going into the tournament, Morocco have the edge with form, depth, and home support. Egypt, Senegal, and Nigeria bring experience and structure. Algeria brings talent and attacking power.

Once the tournament starts on January 21, preparation and calm decisions will matter as much as quality. At AFCON, the team that handles the moment best usually lifts the trophy.

Place your bet Here