The Hunt for Gold: Scouting the Favorites for AFCON 2025
The AFCON countdown has reached its final hours as the continent’s giants converge in Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Here is a detailed Sportglitz breakdown of the frontrunners for this year’s crown.
Morocco’s time is now!
Morocco enters this tournament as the undisputed favorite, not just owing to the fact that they are the hosts, but because they have finally matched their immense talent with a winning identity.
It has been a long, painful wait for a second continental title, with their only previous success coming nearly fifty years ago in 1976. Under the steady hand of Walid Regragui, who has been carefully building this squad for four years, the Atlas Lions have transformed into a machine. They enter the competition on a staggering 18-game unbeaten run, a streak that has seen them dispatch both continental rivals and global powerhouses alike.
The recovery of Achraf Hakimi from a recent injury scare is a massive boost, as his presence on the right flank defines the team’s attacking transition. Morocco possesses perhaps the most complete squad in African football today, boasting incredible depth that stretches from the world-class shot-stopping of Yassine Bounou to the clinical finishing of Ayoub El Kaabi. Drawn into Group A alongside Comoros, Zambia, and Mali, Morocco is widely expected to navigate the opening phase with ease as they look to end their decades-long drought on home soil.
The Resurgence of Bafana Bafana
South Africa arrives in Morocco no longer as an underdog, but as contenders. Since their historic victory in 1996, Bafana Bafana has often struggled to live up to its potential, but the current era under Hugo Broos has restored national pride. Their growth is evident; in the last edition, they fought their way to the semifinals and showed immense character to finish in third place. This progression suggests they are ready to take the final step.
Broos himself is a master of this competition, having famously guided Cameroon to the trophy in 2017, and his tournament experience is a vital asset. He has assembled a squad that blends technical flair with tactical discipline, led by the goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in goal. With key players like Khuliso Mudau, Oswin Appollis, Nkota, and midfield engine Mokoena, they possess a succinct team core. They face a challenging Group B with Angola, Zimbabwe, and Egypt, but their recent stability makes them a threat to anyone in the knockout stages.
Senegal: The Post-Cissé Era
Senegal remains a titan of the African game, even as they transition into a new chapter under Pape Thiaw. Their chances of winning the 2025 AFCON remain high as Thiaw has successfully maintained the defensive discipline that won them the title in 2021 while injecting a more proactive attacking philosophy. The Lions of Teranga are perennial favorites due to the fact that their “Golden Generation” is still largely intact, providing a level of experience that is rare in international football. Drawn into Group D with Botswana, Congo, and Benin, they are heavy favorites to top their pool. Their physical power and the sheer quality of their individual stars mean they can win matches even when they aren’t playing at their best.
The Leopards’ Growing Roar
DR Congo is the dark horse that many believe could go all the way. Under the leadership of Sébastien Desabre, a man who has become a true servant of Congolese football, the Leopards have achieved a level of consistency not seen in decades. Following a brilliant fourth-place finish in Côte d’Ivoire, they have carried that momentum into the World Cup intercontinental playoffs, where they proved their mettle by defeating traditional heavyweights, Cameroon and Nigeria.
The squad quality is at an all-time high, anchored by the leadership of Chancel Mbemba. The addition of Aaron Wan-Bissaka has fortified an already strong defense, while Cédric Bakambu and Meschak Elia lead a dynamic attack. Perhaps their greatest strength is a bench brimming with game-changers, including the lethal Fiston Mayele who is always ready to provide a late spark. Like Senegal, they find themselves in Group D, making that group one of the most competitive in the tournament.
The Elephants’ Defense of the Realm
Finally, one cannot look past the defending champions, Côte d’Ivoire. The man who orchestrated one of the greatest turnarounds in football history during the 2023 edition, Emerse Faé, has proven that his tactical acumen was no fluke. The Elephants showed their pedigree during the World Cup qualifiers, navigating a notoriously difficult group to secure their spot with games to spare.
Faé has maintained the core of his winning squad while making strategic recalls to ensure the team remains hungry. With a spine featuring veteran leadership and young stars like Ahmad Diallo, the Ivorians possess a psychological edge—they know how to win when the pressure is at its highest. Having reclaimed their status as giants, they enter this tournament with the singular goal of becoming the first team in decades to successfully defend the AFCON title.
This edition of the AFCON promises to be one of a kind, however, African football is nobody’s bread and butter and they’re bound to be upsets.
