But AFCON waits for no one. New host, new narratives, same hunger. Nigeria, Senegal, and the reigning champions Ivory Coast all enter this edition with something to prove, but for entirely different reasons.
Nigeria carry scars. They came so close in 2023, leading in the final against Ivory Coast before letting it slip. For many Nigerians, that 2–1 loss still stings, not just because of the result, but because of what it represented, a missed opportunity. Victor Osimhen, talismanic and tireless, had dragged the Super Eagles through the tournament with sheer will. Around him, a creative storm was brewing—Lookman, Chukwueze, Iwobi—each player with the ability to produce magic in an instant. The midfield was workmanlike, and the wings electric, but the cracks were clear in defence. At crucial moments, they blinked. José Peseiro’s men were praised for their transition play, but in tight matches, the lack of a settled centre-back pairing cost them.
AFCON 2025 is Nigeria’s chance for redemption. The narrative is perfectly set: a squad at its peak, a fan base hungry for glory, and a history that demands more. Their last title came in 2013. Since then, they’ve played beautiful football but lacked a killer instinct when it mattered most.
Senegal, on the other hand, are navigating a more subtle evolution. The 2021 champions fell earlier than expected in 2023, bowing out in the round of 16 after a penalty shootout with Ivory Coast. It was a cruel end for Aliou Cissé’s men, who had looked strong in the group stages. But in truth, there was a sense that the team had started to plateau. Sadio Mané is still the face of the team, but the energy is now coming from fresh legs: Pape Matar Sarr’s dynamism, Iliman Ndiaye’s trickery, and Lamine Camara’s composure.
Then there’s Ivory Coast. From group stage despair to lifting the trophy, their 2023 story was the stuff of folklore. Sacked coach. Hostile fans. Pressure of playing at home. And yet, through it all, they found a way. Sébastien Haller's return was inspirational. His header in the final was more than a goal, it was a statement. Kessié bossed the midfield with a mixture of finesse and fight. And Simon Adingra emerged as one of the tournament’s breakout stars, constantly asking questions of defenders with his fearless directness.
This time, however, they wear a target on their backs. The underdog tag is gone. Expectations are sky-high. Away from home, the atmosphere changes. But the Elephants have rediscovered something intangible: belief. Their squad is deeper than it was two years ago, and under Emerse Faé, who turned crisis into glory, they now have a manager players trust implicitly.
Beyond these three, other giants are lurking. Morocco’s World Cup heroics in 2022 made them Africa’s darlings, and with the tournament now on their soil, they’ll have the crowd, the momentum, and the players to dream big. Hakimi remains a symbol of consistency, while Ziyech, despite all the drama, can still be the difference. But Morocco’s biggest weapon might be their system, a team that defends as a unit, then slices forward like a blade.
Algeria and Egypt also demand respect. Mahrez and Salah may be ageing, but their influence hasn’t waned. Egypt, in particular, have made a habit of defying the odds. They don’t always play the prettiest football, but they know how to win in Africa. Seven titles didn’t come by chance.
And what of the dark horses? Mali, with their vibrant midfield; Burkina Faso, always capable of an upset; even Cape Verde, whose tactical maturity impressed in 2023. The gap between the elite and the emerging is narrowing fast. There are no easy games anymore.
In Morocco, history awaits. The only question is, who will write it?
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