Since 2010 and the last stone of the Egyptian treble, no African selection has retained its title at the African Cup of Nations. The last eight editions have crowned seven different winners. Over this 15-year interval, only Ivory Coast has triumphed twice, including this miraculous home run during CAN 2023. Two years later, the favorite could win again on its land.
Favorites
Morocco and Senegal share at least two things in common: they were eliminated in the round of 16 of the last CAN and since then, they have not lost a single official match, apart from the African Nations Championship during which the selections display radically different faces.
Surprise semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Atlas Lions fell to South Africa (2-0) during the Ivorian CAN. If since then, certain players like Azzedine Ounahi or Hakim Ziyech have faded somewhat, the Moroccans have welcomed new talents while Achraf Hakimi has gained momentum to the point of being elected African player of the year.
The result of his race against the clock to heal his left ankle will be decisive in assessing Morocco’s chances. In the event of failure, Walid Regragui nevertheless has a deep reservoir of talent, starting with Brahim Diaz (15 caps, 8 goals), who chose Moroccan sporting nationality at the start of 2024.
Senegal bowed to the crazy resilience of the Elephants in Ivory Coast (1-1, 5-4 on the tab). The Lions have turned the page on Aliou Cissé. Pape Thiaw moved to the bench at the end of 2024. The coach can combine the experience of Sadio Mané, Édouard Mendy and captain Kalidou Koulibaly with the talented Iliman Ndiaye, Lamine Camara and Pape Matar Sarr.
Les outsiders
Title holders, Ivory Coast necessarily represent a force not to be neglected. Since then, the Elephants have nevertheless not encountered crazy adversity and certain defeats – friendlies against New Zealand (1-0) or Saudi Arabia (1-0) – do not invite optimism. New talents have emerged at international level, including Evann Guessand and the young Yan Diomande (19 years old).
Another contender, Algeria is moving forward without certainty. The Swiss Vladimir Petkovic is contested, the Fennecs remain on two eliminations in the first round and Riyad Mahrez is getting closer to retirement. But the “EN” has too many talents to be forgotten. Amine Gouiri will play his first CAN, Mohamed Amoura has grabbed the reins of the team and ball handlers like Anis Hadj Moussa or Ibrahim Maza can solve many problems if their formation lacks inspiration.
The questions
If the Algerians are far from any serenity, the Cameroonians have experienced an eventful last month. Coach Marc Brys was ejected and his successor did not retain Éric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, André Onana or Vincent Aboubakar. Forfeit, Frank Anguissa will not be present either. The Indomitable Lions will have to line up behind ex-Lille player Carlos Baleba and Mancunian Bryan Mbeumo to hope. David Pagou’s players were placed in a tough group, alongside Ivory Coast.
Unhappy finalist of the last edition, Nigeria experienced new disillusionment in November. Surprised by the Democratic Republic of Congo (1-1, 4-3 on the tabs), the Super Eagles failed to reach the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 World Cup. The pressure will be maximum on their shoulders to forget this disappointment, but their firepower in attack – Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon – can take them far.
If Egypt also has strong offensive arguments, its supporters, for their part, find it difficult to believe in a great epic. There is pessimism around coach Hossam Hassan and the current state of form of Mohamed Salah with Liverpool will not be likely to reassure the followers of the “Pharaohs”. In 2025, “Mo” still scored four times in six international matches. The captain will be supported by the Mancunian Omar Marmoush, who has exploded since the last CAN.
The surprise?
Could the Democratic Republic of Congo surf its obstacle course in qualifying for the World Cup? CAF representatives during the intercontinental play-off scheduled for next March, the Leopards eliminated Cameroon (1-0) and Nigeria from the race for the World Cup. The presence of Senegal in their qualifying group partly explains their inability to directly access the World Cup.
The other positive point? Unlike most of the nations involved in the CAN, the Congolese tested themselves against major teams from the continent. Semi-finalists in 2024, they field quality elements, such as Chancel Mbemba in the middle, Noah Sadiki and Ngal’ayel Mukau in the middle as well as Cédric Bakambu and Fiston Mayele up front.
