Victor Osimhen is one of the outright favourites to win the AFCON 2025 golden boot. The Nigerian striker has carried his prolific club form onto the international stage and arrives in Morocco in fine form.

At Galatasaray, Osimhen has scored six league goals in 12 appearances, while his impact in the Champions League has been even more striking, netting six times in just four games.

His importance to Nigeria has only grown over the past few years. Osimhen was the Super Eagles’ leading scorer in the 2026 World Cup qualifying, finishing with eight goals in seven matches and consistently delivering in high-pressure moments.

With William Troost-Ekong retired, Nigeria will look to Osimhen not just for goals, but for leadership from the front.

The group stage draw further strengthens his case. Nigeria face Uganda, Tunisia and Tanzania, a group that offers opportunities for a dominant forward to rack up goals early and build momentum.

If the Super Eagles progress deep into the tournament, Osimhen’s combination of movement, physicality and ruthless finishing could prove decisive in finishing as top scorer.

Mali will be quietly confident as they aim to reach the semi-finals of the AFCON for the first time since 2013.

Once a regular presence among the continent’s last four, the Eagles endured a difficult period in the mid-2010s, failing to progress beyond the group stage in both the 2015 and 2017 editions.

Since then, signs of steady progress have emerged. Mali reached the round of 16 at the 2021 AFCON before improving further by advancing to the quarter-finals in the most recent tournament. That upward trajectory has restored belief that a return to Africa’s elite is within reach.

A major factor behind that optimism is the appointment of experienced coach Tom Saintfiet. The Belgian tactician knows what it takes to overachieve at AFCON level, having guided Gambia to a historic quarter-finals appearance in 2021.

On the pitch, Mali boast a balanced squad with in-form talent. Néné Dorgeles and Lassine Sinayoko provide attacking thrust, while Yves Bissouma anchors midfield with authority and experience. The Eagles will fancy their chances of finally breaking into the semi-finals once again.

Sudan can be considered as one of the tournament’s most compelling dark horses, carrying momentum built against the odds. Despite ongoing political tensions forcing them to play home matches outside the country for over a year, Kwesi Appiah has overseen a remarkable turnaround, guiding the Falcons back to the AFCON after missing out on the previous edition.

Their qualification alone was a statement. Sudan emerged from a challenging group that included Ghana, Angola and Niger.

That progress briefly carried into 2026 World Cup qualifying, where they topped a group with Senegal and DR Congo in the early stages before eventually falling away and missing out on qualification.

Sudan enjoyed a successful CHAN tournament, reaching the semi-finals for only the third time in their history. With the majority of their players plying their trade locally, a similar squad was assembled by Appiah, who made them difficult to break down and dangerous in tight games.

Drawn into a tough group alongside Algeria, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea, Sudan will not be favourites.

However, with qualification available to the best third-placed teams and the Falcons’ proven ability to frustrate stronger opponents, progression to the knockout stages is a realistic ambition.

Ivory Coast enter the tournament in Morocco not just as contenders, but as reigning champions with genuine momentum behind them. Having lifted the trophy in 2023, the Elephants have grown into one of the continent’s most feared sides, blending tactical discipline with creative flair.

Their journey to Morocco wasn’t their usual best with two defeats but that improved in World Cup qualifying where they topped their group without losing a game.

Coach Emerse Fae has moulded a squad that mixes seasoned leaders with dynamic playmakers. The sensational recall of Wilfried Zaha, in excellent club form, adds a new attacking dimension, while the return of Jean-Michaël Seri brings calm and experience to the midfield.

Players like Franck Kessié, Amad Diallo, Oumar Diakité and Jean-Philippe Krasso give balance and threat across the pitch, making the Elephants difficult to nullify.

Drawn into a competitive Group F alongside Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique, Ivory Coast must navigate early tests before a likely knockout stage clash. But with their blend of experience, tactical maturity and recent success, the Elephants have every reason to believe back-to-back AFCON titles are within reach.

Morocco head into the tournament with unfinished business and a point to prove. The Atlas Lions will be eager to erase memories of their round of 16 exit to South Africa at the last AFCON, a disappointing end to a tournament where expectations were high.

This time, the stakes are even greater as they host the competition on home soil and aim to replicate the Ivory Coast’s fairytale triumph in 2023.

History, however, is not on Morocco’s side. AFCON hosts have found success hard to come by in recent decades. Since 1982, only six host nations have lifted the trophy from 20 tournaments, and just one of the 10 hosts across the last nine editions have gone all the way. It is a jinx the Atlas Lions will be determined to break.

Walid Regragui has named a star-studded squad packed with elite European-based talent. Much will depend on the fitness of captain Achraf Hakimi, whose influence on and off the pitch is vital.

Even so, confidence is high. Morocco have been outstanding in World Cup qualifying and, since the last AFCON, made history by reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup.

With home support, momentum and belief, Morocco will fancy their chances of finally conquering Africa again.

Nigeria arrive in Morocco with heartbreak. The Super Eagles came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy at the last edition, only to fall to hosts Ivory Coast in the final despite taking the lead.

That narrow defeat still lingers, especially with captain and goalscorer in that final, William Troost-Ekong, having since announced his retirement, leaving Nigeria in search of a new on-field leader.

The Super Eagles head into the tournament wounded. Failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has intensified pressure on the squad and coaching staff, and patience among supporters is wearing thin. For many fans, lifting the AFCON trophy in Morocco feels like the only way to restore pride and rebuild trust.

Despite the setbacks, Nigeria remain one of the continent’s most dangerous sides. With Victor Osimhen leading the line, they possess a match-winner capable of deciding games at the highest level.

Motivation will not be lacking. Scarred by past disappointment, the Super Eagles will view the 2025 AFCON as their chance for redemption.