AI Supercomputer Reveals Shocking 2025 AFCON Champion Prediction

Every Africa Cup of Nations tournament brings pure excitement and thrills, and the forthcoming competition promises to deliver another remarkable showcase.

The 2025 championship—marking the 35th edition since its inception in 1957—will take place in Morocco, featuring 24 nations from across Africa vying for continental supremacy. Nevertheless, only a select few countries possess realistic hopes of capturing the coveted trophy.

Morocco, hosting the competition for the first time since 1988, stands among the leading contenders, while current titleholders Ivory Coast aim to become the first nation to secure consecutive AFCON victories since Egypt achieved a hat-trick in the late 2000s.

The reliable Opta prediction system has analyzed the tournament prospects, and here are its forecasts.

AI System Forecasts 2025 AFCON Champion

Although the prediction system identifies several potential champions, Morocco emerges as the standout favorite. Beyond hosting privileges, they currently rank as Africa's top FIFA-rated team at 11th globally, with their impressive semi-final run at the 2022 World Cup still fresh in memory.

Led by star player Achraf Hakimi and featuring talents like Brahim Díaz, Noussair Mazraoui and Yassine Bounou in crucial roles, their 19.1% championship probability appears well-justified.

Three of the system's top four picks hail from North Africa, with record seven-time winners Egypt also receiving strong championship odds. Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush and their teammates have been assigned a 12.4% victory probability, despite not claiming the title since 2010. The 2021 finalists hope their elite performers will deliver when it matters most.

Morocco's traditional adversaries Algeria receive a 12.0% chance of securing just their third championship. Fresh off their 2019 triumph, they boast exceptional talent including Rayan Aït-Nouri, Mohamed Amoura and veteran captain Riyad Mahrez, who remains capable of match-winning moments at 34.

Positioned between Egypt and Algeria are third-choice Senegal, the 2021 winners who have reached two of the past three finals. Ranked as Africa's second-best team at 19th in FIFA's global standings, they expect to compete for the title with their talent-rich roster. Twenty squad members compete in Europe's premier leagues, while three others are former Premier League standouts: Édouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and the legendary Sadio Mané.

A significant gap exists to fifth-ranked Nigeria, given merely a 7.3% championship chance. Despite featuring stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, the 2023 finalists lag behind the top quartet as they pursue their first crown since 2013. The Super Eagles' main weakness appears to be their defensive unit, which lacks world-class depth.

Tunisia (6.8%) and defending champions Ivory Coast (6.7%) receive nearly identical success probabilities. Tunisia has consistently reached the quarterfinals in four of their last five appearances, while Ivory Coast no longer features legends like Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré, yet retains considerable skill as proven during their home triumph two years prior.

Mali (6.4%) possesses an outside chance of Moroccan glory, alongside Cameroon (4.1%). However, the Indomitable Lions face internal chaos approaching the tournament, with federation president Samuel Eto'o, a former national hero, feuding with coach Marc Brys. After refusing dismissal before the competition, Brys has named his preferred squad despite Eto'o also selecting players.

South Africa (2.2%) and DR Congo (2.0%) maintain slim hopes heading to Morocco, but realistically won't challenge in the final rounds. Zimbabwe (0.2%) and Botswana (0.2%) represent the tournament's longest shots.