The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 gets underway this Sunday as hosts Morocco officially kick off the tournament against Comoros, signalling the start of what promises to be another thrilling chapter in African international football.
Weeks of high-stakes action lie ahead, with the continent’s elite nations all competing for continental supremacy, while also showcasing world-class talents, passionate supporters and the unique intensity that defines AFCON.
As anticipation continues to build ahead of the opening whistle, attention naturally turns which teams are expected to go deep in the tournament and ultimately lift the trophy.
From proven champions to ambitious challengers, we will be take a closer look at the teams leading the odds to lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy:
One player will win ????,???,??? this ????? ????????! ?
— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) December 17, 2025
All it takes is one bet.
Make it a Christmas to remember with Bet9ja!
Morocco to win AFCON – 3.50
Morocco are the hosts and, therefore, understandably the favourites, especially given the fantastic quality that has emerged in their team in recent years.
Morocco sensationally became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2022, and while they failed to follow that achievement up by winning the 2023 AFCON – losing 2-0 to South Africa in the round of 16 – they will be eager to right their wrongs and stamp their authority on this competition.
Egypt to win AFCON – 7.00
Egypt head into the tournament as Bet9ja’s second favourites to become 2025 AFCON champions, and they showed their quality in a preparation game against Nigeria just ahead of the tournament, which they won 2-1.
With the likes of Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Salah spearheading their attack, it is understandable that Egypt are among the favourites to lift the trophy.
Senegal to win AFCON – 7.50
Narrowly behind Egypt are Senegal, who have odds of 7.50 with Bet9ja to become 2025 AFCON champions.
Senegal are in stunning form heading into this competition, with just one defeat and six victories in their last seven games across all competitions – with their sole loss coming as a narrow 2-0 defeat to Brazil.
Given their momentum heading into the tournament, Senegal are certainly in with a strong chance of moving deep into this competition.
Algeria to win AFCON – 8.00
Algeria lifted the 2019 AFCON trophy after a 1-0 win over Senegal in the final, but they have failed to impose themselves in the competition in the following two editions, registering shocking group stage exits.
Desperate to amend those wrongs and ultimately aiming to reclaim their title, Algeria are expected to be a formidable force at this competition, leaving them as one of the favourites.
Nigeria to win AFCON – 9.50
Nigeria devastatingly lost the 2023 AFCON final after conceding an 81st-minute winner to hosts Ivory Coast, and the Super Eagles will be eager to go one step further this time around and claim the title.
With the attacking excellence of the Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi, combined with the defensive solidity of Calvin Basey and more, Nigeria are certainly one of the strongest contenders.
Ivory Coast to win AFCON – 12.00
Ivory Coast lifted the 2023 AFCON title on home soil thanks to their 2-1 comeback victory over the Super Eagles in the final, and while they are not the favourites heading into this competition, they will be aiming to defend their title.
Many of the quality players that led them to the 2023 crown will appear once again in this competition, and they will fancy their chances of going deep into the tournament and lifting the trophy.
