Supercomputer predicts 2025 AFCON Winner
AFCON 2025 hosts Morocco are among the favorites, while defending champions Ivory Coast will be hopeful of becoming the first back-to-back AFCON winners since Egypt went three for three in the late 2000s.The trusty Opta supercomputer has made its predictions for the tournament winner, and here are its thoughts.While the supercomputer believes there are a number of candidates for the crown, Morocco are the clear favorites. As well as home advantage, they are currently FIFA’s highest-ranked African nation at 11th in the standings, and their fourth-placed finish at the 2022 World Cup lives in recent memory
With Achraf Hakimi as their talisman and the likes of Brahim Díaz, Noussair Mazraoui and Yassine Bounou as key members of the supporting cast, it’s easy to see why they’re given a 19.1% chance of winning the title.Three of the supercomputer’s four favorites are from North Africa, with record seven-time champions Egypt also handed a strong chance of lifting the trophy. Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush and Co. have been given a 12.4% chance of glory, although they haven’t claimed the prize since 2010. The runners-up in 2021 are hopeful that their star players rise to the occasion.
Morocco’s fierce rivals Algeria have been given a 12.0% chance of only a third title.
Sandwiched just in between Egypt and Algeria are third favorites Senegal, the 2021 champions who have featured in two of the last three finals.There is a steep drop down to fifth favorites Nigeria, who are given just a 7.3% chance of glory. Despite boasting the likes of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, the 2023 runners-up fall short of the four leading candidates as they seek a first title since 2013.
