Sports
AFCON Favourites: The Top Teams Likely to Win the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco
The Africa Cup of Nations will take center stage in Morocco at the tail end of the year, and this 35th edition is looking to be a huge affair for the continent. As such, football fans and pundits have been speculating on what country will lift the AFCON 2025 trophy.
We’re not clairvoyants to tell you what team will emerge as winners. This article will shed light on possible champions. We’ll also deliver betting tips to help you cash in on this revered tournament. Let’s get going!
When Is AFCON 2025 Holding?
From the announced schedule, the 2025 AFCON is billed for a 21st of December kickoff, with proceedings expected to come to an end on the 18th of January, 2026. During this timeline, a total of 52 matches will be played.
Morocco will be the host nation. For context, the last time they hosted this event was in 1988, where Cameroon emerged as AFCON winners after a valiant battle with Nigeria.
Here are stadiums that’ll feature in the hotly-contested tournament:
- Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan, Rabat
- Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat
- Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca
- Complexe Sportif de Fes, Fes
- Stade El Barid, Rabat
- Stade Annexe Olympique Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat
- Grand Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
- Grand Stage de Tanger, Tangier
- Grand Stade d’Agadir, Agadir
Top Four Favourites to Win the Africa Cup of Nations Title in 2025
“In football, everything is complicated by the presence of the opposite team.”
Going by this quote by Jean-Paul Sartre, it’s almost impossible to tell what team will emerge as winners in football tournaments like the Africa Nations Cup.
Nonetheless, here’s an overview of four nations that could win AFCON 2025 in Morocco:
Nigeria
It’s no surprise as to why this nation ranks as a top contender for the 2025 AFCON triumph. After a frustrating second-place finish in AFCON 2023, the Super Eagles will fancy their chances of going all the way this time around.
Nigeria’s squad is strong, with the likes of striker Victor Osimhen leading the charge. They’re in Group C, alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania; this draw will give the Super Eagles a solid foundation to gel before the knockout rounds.
Morocco
Having automatically qualified in this year’s AFCON due to its position as hosts, Morocco has a lot going for it. This includes home soil support, climate familiarity, and less travel distance. They’ll open the tournament in a match against Comoros, and will be looking to cement their dominance from the get-go.
This nation’s football squad has an excellent head coach (Walid Regragui) and some of the world’s best players on its roster. Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech are some of the names leading the charge for the home nation. The Moroccan national team had a Cinderella run in the 2022 FIFA World Cup where it finished fourth. If the Atlas Lions can replicate that form or something similar, they could go all the way and lift the AFCON title.
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast are AFCON reigning champions, after defeating the Super Eagles in the 2023 edition. The team will feature in Group F alongside Gabon, Cameroon, and Mozambique.
As one of Africa’s strongest football teams, they’ve got a smooth path to the knockout rounds; however, Cameroon (AKA Indomitable Lions or Lions of Teranga) could prove a tough nut to crack with hungry and technical forwards like Vincent Aboubakar and Bryan Mbuemo.
As mentioned, Ivory Coast are no slouch themselves. Lethal strikers (Nicolas Pepe and Simon Adingra) and sturdy midfield players (Franck Kessie and Seko Fofana) offer the technical flexibility required to defeat opponents with relative ease.
Senegal
Senegal isn’t at the summit of African football. However, its reputation has risen in recent years. In the 2022 World Cup, they bowed out in the quarterfinals. Before that, Senegal won the 2021 AFCON. These facts make them a front-runner in this year’s Africa Nations Cup.
Senegal will play against DR Congo, Botswana, and Benin Republic in the group stage. With players such as Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, and Cheikhou Kouyate, Senegal should advance into the knockout stages comfortably.
With a resilient spirit, Senegal is well-equipped for knockout games where high-pitched pressure is the norm. As such, they’re serious contenders to be Morocco 2025 AFCON champions.
2025 AFCON Betting Tips: How to Make the Best of the Tournament as a Punter
“Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.”
This quote by Confucius, a Chinese philosopher, applies to all walks of life, betting inclusive.
You can increase your chances of winning bets made during AFCON by adopting these tips:
1. Bet on the Front Runners
Consider betting on top nations such as Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, and Ivory Coast. However, don’t ignore Egypt, Ghana, and Algeria; these are dark horses that could spring up surprises during the tournament.
2. Compare Betting Sites
If you intend betting on AFCON for real money, you must be ready to put in the work by searching for the best bookmakers. According to tipster, Kate Richardson, a good way to start is to visit trusted review sites so that you can compare online sportsbooks in your country.
That way, you can see what sites have the best odds, bonuses, and customer support. When you settle for one that ticks all these boxes, you’ll have a fun-filled wagering adventure.
3. Bet on Individual Awards
One of the safest bets to make during tournaments like the AFCON are on individual awards. For example, you can bet on Mohamed Salah to win the Golden Boot award. Since 2024 & 2025 statistics place him as a prolific league goal scorer, the chances of this bet being successful are high.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be upon us shortly. With 24 teams in the mix, we’ve highlighted the nations that are poised to lift the trophy. If you intend betting on events tied to this tournament, consider placing wagers on the top sides and star-studded individuals. For your bets to be profitable (if it wins), ensure your chosen sportsbook offers competitive odds.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will look to secure their place in the quarter-finals when they face Egypt in their final Group C match on Wednesday at 9:00 pm at the ongoing WAFCON 2026 in Morocco.
The defending champions bounced back from their disappointing 3-2 defeat to Malawi with a crucial 1-0 victory over Zambia and will now be aiming to finish the group stage strongly. All the matches of the tournament air live on SuperSport via DStv and GOtv.
The final matchday of Group A saw hosts Morocco play out a goalless draw with Senegal, a result that was enough to send Morocco through to the quarter-finals in first position in their group. Algeria also secured their place in the knockout stages after a 2-0 victory over Kenya, bringing their group-stage campaign to a strong close.
Tuesday, Group B will conclude with Burkina Faso facing South Africa before Tanzania takes on Ivory Coast. South Africa and Ivory Coast played out a 2-2 draw in their previous match, while Burkina Faso bounced back from their opening defeat with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania. With the group still to be decided, the final results will determine which teams join the quarter-final line-up.
All eyes will then turn to Group C on Wednesday, where Egypt will face Nigeria, and Malawi will take on Zambia, with both matches kicking off at 9:00 pm. The Super Falcons will be hoping to build on their victory over Zambia and secure the result they need to advance to the knockout stages, while Egypt will be looking to end their campaign on a positive note after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Malawi in their previous game.
Nigeria’s final group match comes after a difficult start to their title defence. The Super Falcons were stunned 3-2 by Malawi in their opening game but responded with a 1-0 victory over Zambia to revive their campaign. The ten-time champions will now need to complete the job against Egypt as they look to keep their hopes of retaining the continental crown alive.
The final group-stage fixtures on Thursday will see Ghana take on Mali, and Cape Verde face Cameroon on Thursday, with both matches also scheduled for 9:00 pm. Ghana suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in their previous outing, while Mali secured a 3-2 victory over Cape Verde. The final results will determine which teams progress to the knockout stages from Group D.
Matchday 3 Fixtures
Tuesday, August 4
Burkina Faso vs South Africa – 9:00 pm
Tanzania vs Ivory Coast – 9:00 pm
Wednesday, August 5
Egypt vs Nigeria – 9:00 pm
Malawi vs Zambia – 9:00 pm
Thursday, August 6
Cape Verde vs Cameroon – 9:00 pm
Mali vs Ghana – 9:00 pm
SuperSport Brings All the Live Action
Catch every match of WAFCON Morocco 2026 live on SS Football (Ch. 202, GOtv Ch. 61) and SS Football Plus (DStv Ch. 202) on DStv and GOtv. Fans can also stream every match live on DStv Stream from ₦6,000, with no decoder or dish required.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
At least for the next four seasons, DStv and GOtv subscribers are guaranteed access to all UEFA men’s club matches on SuperSport.
This is because CANAL+, the parent company of MultiChoice, which owns DStv and GOtv, has secured the exclusive broadcast rights to all UEFA men’s club competitions across Sub-Saharan Africa through 2031, ensuring SuperSport will continue to broadcast the UEFA Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues live to DStv and GOtv subscribers.
The four-season agreement, which begins with the 2027/28 campaign, covers more than 40 countries across the region and includes exclusive rights to the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
In English- and Portuguese-speaking Africa, SuperSport will continue as the exclusive broadcaster of UEFA club competitions, bringing the continent’s biggest European club matches to DStv and GOtv subscribers. The agreement also restores full UEFA Champions League coverage on CANAL+ Sport channels in French-speaking Africa, alongside the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
The rights deal further strengthens CANAL+’s sports portfolio, which already includes major football competitions such as the Premier League, LALIGA EA SPORTS, Ligue 1, the Betway Premiership and the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.
The agreement ensures football fans across Sub-Saharan Africa will continue to enjoy live coverage of Europe’s premier club competitions on SuperSport when the new rights cycle begins in 2027.
“We are very proud of this new partnership, which gives us exclusive rights to all UEFA Men’s Club competitions across more than 40 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“For four seasons, until 2031, our subscribers will enjoy the thrill of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League’s biggest matches. Today, CANAL+ offers the most attractive sports line-up across Sub-Saharan Africa, and the acquisition of these rights is a perfect illustration of that.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to UC3 and to the teams at Relevent for once again placing their trust in CANAL+, following our recent agreements in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland and Austria,” the chief executive of CANAL+, Mr Maxime Saada, stated.
The start of a football season always tricks people a little. Everything looks fresh. New shirts, new signings, clean tables, confident managers, fans talking themselves into hope again. Then the first few matches arrive, and half the predictions start wobbling. That is what makes early-season betting interesting. It is not tidy yet. Manchester City may still be Manchester City, but that does not mean they are sharp from the first whistle. Arsenal might look strong on paper and still need time to settle. Chelsea can have another summer full of noise and still leave bettors guessing. Real Madrid might have the stars, but even stars need minutes together. The first weeks are not about certainty. They are about spotting who is ready before the market fully catches up.
New Signings Need Time
Transfer excitement can make people rush. A new striker arrives at Arsenal and suddenly every goals market feels tempting. Manchester United sign a defender and people start talking about clean sheets. Chelsea add another expensive player and the same old question comes back: does this actually fix the team, or just add another name? Sometimes a signing changes everything quickly. More often, there is an awkward stage first. A forward needs to learn where the passes come from. A midfielder needs to understand the press. A centre-back needs to build trust with the goalkeeper and full-backs. That is why early-season betting after the Betway app download should not treat a new signing like a finished answer. The name matters, but the fit matters more.
World Cup Legs Will Matter
This season also carries the weight of the World Cup. Some players will come back flying. Some will come back flat. Some may start the season with managed minutes because their clubs cannot afford to burn them out early. That can change player markets fast. A bettor looking through the betway app before a weekend card should not only check the famous names in the lineup. Look at who played deep into the World Cup, who missed pre-season, who came back late, and who is being protected by the manager. A star on the pitch is not always a star at full speed.
Early Tables Can Lie
The first league table always looks more dramatic than it is. One big club drops points, and everyone starts asking if there is a crisis. One promoted side wins at home, and suddenly people talk about momentum. A striker scores twice, and the golden boot conversations begin before anyone has really learned anything. That noise can be useful, but only if bettors do not get swallowed by it. Early results need context. Did the team actually play well, or just finish two chances? Did they control the game, or survive pressure? Was the opponent missing key players? Did the manager rotate because of fitness?
Patience Beats The Big Prediction
The new season will settle. The strong teams will usually rise, the weaker squads will get exposed, and the table will start to make more sense. But the opening weeks are different. They are full of strange fitness levels, overhyped signings, tired stars and teams that are still trying to remember what they are meant to be. That is why betting on the upcoming season should start slowly. Do not fall in love with last season’s form. Do not trust every transfer story. Do not assume every World Cup star is ready to carry club football straight away. The value is often hiding in the messy part, before everyone else agrees what the season really looks like.
