The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is the 35th edition of the competition. Host nation and football betting favourite Morocco kick off the tournament on Dec. 21 as they matchup with Comoros in Rabat.
Morocco are heavily favoured in the betting markets, despite only making one AFCON semi-final since 1988.
The 2023 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations was packed with surprises. Ivory Coast won the tournament, despite losing two group matches and sacking their manager midway through.
Ghana failed to progress from Group B, Algeria finished last in Group D behind Mauritania, and Tunisia went winless and were knocked out in the group stage.
In the knockouts, South Africa beat Morocco and DR Congo overcame Egypt on penalties. Nigeria and Ivory Coast making the final wasn’t the most surprising pairing, but the rest of the tournament was wildly unpredictable, with South Africa and DR Congo reaching the semis.
AFCON 2025 Winner Odds:
- Morocco – 5/2
- Egypt – 11/2
- Algeria – 6/1
- Senegal – 6/1
- Nigeria – 10/1
- Bar - 12/1
Are Morocco Rightly Favoured?
Home advantage has been a major factor in AFCON. Three of the last five tournaments have seen a host nation reach the semis, with Ivory Coast going all the way in their home tournament two years ago. Morocco are 10/11 to be in the last four.
Morocco have plenty of players with AFCON experience, though much of it is negative. Their squad is talented, but it’s far from unbeatable. Their depth of high-end players might not matter in a short tournament.
A run to the semis at the World Cup in 2022 sticks out in the mind of bettors. Morocco’s only loss since then came at the hands of South Africa in the last AFCON.
If they win their group, a favourable last 16 tie could be followed by Ivory Coast or Cameroon. Even with their excellent results in recent years, these odds are too short.
Nigeria’s Big Names
Victor Osimhen and Ola Aina were among the headline returnees in Nigeria’s massive preliminary squad.
Nigeria boast solid defenders, a formidable midfield, and the kind of talent in the final third that can swing knockout ties.
Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Frank Onyeka can control the middle of the pack. Osimhen is joined by Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, and others in attack. They haven’t lost a match since 2024.
Being drawn with Tunisia is a threat and could leave the Super Eagles under pressure going into matchday three, but this team won’t fear anyone. They’re good value at 4/1 to reach the final.
Senegal’s Last Dance
Senegal’s core are past their respective peaks. Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, and Sadio Mané are 34, 36, and 33, respectively. Fortunately for the Lions of Teranga, they have plenty of younger players ready to shine in Morocco.
The aforementioned trio can still contribute. Pape Matar Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, Lamine Camara, and El Hadji Malick Diouf are among the next generation primed to power Senegal through the remainder of the 2020s and into the 2030s.
An impressive friendly win over England has been followed by ruthless performances in World Cup qualifying.
Finalists at two of the last three tournaments, Senegal are being a bit underrated this time around. Sure, Mané is past his best, but this is still arguably Africa’s strongest squad.
There’s value taking Senegal at 3/1 to reach the final. We’d also consider putting them in a group winner accumulator.
Avoid Algeria and Egypt
Egypt are massively dependent on an out-of-form Premier League stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. It’s a big ask for two attacking players to carry them through the tournament.
Their record in major tournaments has been largely underwhelming in recent years, aside from a final appearance in AFCON four years ago.
Algeria’s squad just seems too old to compete with ascending collections of talent across the continent. Unlike Senegal, they don’t have a cohort ready to step up. Burkina Faso are an interesting bet at 3/1 to win Group E as a result.
Most Successful Nations In Africa Cup of Nations History
- Egypt – 7 titles
- Cameroon – 5 titles
- Ghana – 4 titles
- Nigeria – 3 titles
- Ivory Coast – 3 titles
Top AFCON Goal Scorers Of All-Time
- Samuel Eto’o – 18
- Laurent Pokou – 14
- Rashidi Yekini – 13
- Hassan El-Shazly – 12
- Patrick Mboma – 11
- Hossam Hassan – 11
- Didier Drogba – 11
