The 2025 AFCON tournament is just five months away, and all eyes are on Nigeria to go all the way. This expectation isn’t coincidental. The Nigerian men’s football team (AKA the Super Eagles) has lifted the AFCON trophy three times since its creation. In last year’s edition, they were in the corridors of a fourth victory, only to have their dreams dashed by the Ivorians.
With many of its players playing their trade at the top European teams, Nigeria looked poised for glory at the 2025 African Cup of Nations. However, it won’t be a smooth path, as many national teams feature equally valiant and technical players. Keep reading as we shed light on three main contenders that could hinder Nigeria’s push for the AFCON trophy.
The Super Eagles just needed to defeat Ivory Coast in last year’s AFCON to lift the trophy. However, goals from Franck Kessié and Sébastien Haller saw the Eagles’ ambitions slip away.
It’s 2025, and the Elephants are still firing on all cylinders. With Manchester United’s Amad Diallo and Brighton’s Simon Adingra leading the charge, Ivory Coast has what it takes to weave past various opponents, including the Super Eagles.
If these two teams face each other, it’ll be one of the most-watched events at the AFCON 2025. Before the competition starts, you can get today’s soccer games and updates at SportyTrader. The expert picks and predictions offered will help guide your own forecasts for better winning chances.
Morocco – Home advantage leads the way
Morocco will be hosting this year’s edition of the African Cup of Nations. The Atlas Lions haven’t lifted the AFCON trophy since 1976. Therefore, they’ll be banking on home advantage to steer them towards success this year.
In addition to having the home advantage, the Moroccan team have got a slew of top-tier players on their roster. Leading the squad is Paris Saint-Germain’s star defender Achraf Hakimi. Forwards such as Brahim Diaz and Youssef En-Nessyri are also in the lineup, setting Morocco up as a possible tournament winner and a hindrance to Nigeria’s progression to the finals.
Algeria – The old guard looking to make a resurgence
Algeria lifted the prestigious AFCON title back in 2019. However, since then, it seems Les Fennecs have drifted into oblivion. They failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and in AFCON 2024, the team experienced a group stage exit after a shocking defeat against Mauritania.
However, 2025 looks like a year Algeria will come back to their very best, or close to it. Although Riyad Mahrez is now 34 years old, his deft touch and technique could create a truckload of chances that strikers like Amine Gouiri and Saïd Benrahma can finish with relative ease. If Algeria manages to get back into their mojo in the 2025 AFCON, they could defeat football powerhouses like Nigeria if they meet in the knockout stages or finals.
We’ve just delivered context on three teams that could prevent Nigeria’s victory in the 2025 AFCON. Morocco’s home advantage, Ivory Coast’s resilience, and Algeria’s expected resurgence all present a challenge for the Super Eagles. The tournament will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. You can follow the games to find out how Nigeria fares against its major contenders.
