Aliou Cissé AFCON 2025 prediction places Nigeria among top contenders as the Senegal legend assesses favourites for the Morocco tournament

Senegal legend and former Teranga Lions coach Aliou Cissé has named Nigeria’s Super Eagles among the leading contenders for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco.

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Cissé shared his thoughts after Libya’s elimination from the Arab Cup playoffs on Tuesday, noting that the battle for continental supremacy would be intense.

Asked about Senegal’s chances of reclaiming the trophy they won in 2021, the former defender said he remained hopeful his country could triumph again, although he acknowledged the strength of other top African sides.

He said his heart was with Senegal but admitted that the competition would be far from straightforward.

Cissé identified Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Nigeria as the strongest challengers alongside Senegal.

He described the Super Eagles, who finished as runners-up at the last edition, as one of the sides capable of going all the way in Morocco.

He emphasised the unpredictability of the tournament, explaining that unlike the FIFA World Cup, AFCON often defies expectations.

He said the Africa Cup of Nations was difficult to predict as surprises were common and no team could be written off ahead of the December kick-off.

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The 2025 AFCON will take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, with twenty-four teams vying for the continent’s most coveted football prize.