Le Roy Names Super Eagles Among AFCON Favourites for 2025
AFCON-winning coach Claude Le Roy has listed the Super Eagles alongside hosts Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Egypt, and Algeria as the main contenders for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
The tournament will be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, across six cities in Morocco.
Nigeria, who were runners-up in the previous tournament after losing to Ivory Coast in the final, will be aiming for a fourth continental title. They have been drawn into a group with Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
With a proud AFCON history boasting 16 medals—three gold, five silver, and eight bronze—Nigeria remains one of the favourites for the competition, according to Le Roy.
“Logically, Morocco are the biggest favourites,” Le Roy told LeSitelnfo. “Senegal, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Algeria… Egypt is always a strong opponent in this competition. We must also be cautious of South Africa, which continues to improve thanks to a very good coach. Cameroon is also always tough to beat.”
Le Roy, who led Cameroon to victory in the 1988 AFCON, the last time Morocco hosted the tournament, reflected on that triumph. Cameroon defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the final with a penalty from Emmanuel Kundé, a loss that remains one of Nigeria’s most painful AFCON moments. Le Roy still considers the victory his greatest coaching achievement.
At 77, the French coach is excited to return to Morocco, saying, “Today, the Kingdom is capable of hosting a World Cup. I think the next AFCON will be exceptional in a country that I love. It’s a great football nation. For me, it will bring back many memories. I won the AFCON in Morocco, and it’s a great pleasure for me to return there.”
Under the management of Franco-Malian coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles will start their 2025 AFCON campaign against Tanzania on December 23 at Fez Stadium in Fez. Four days later, they will face Tunisia at the same venue before completing their group stage with a match against Uganda’s Cranes on December 30.
