Several AFCON favourites are likely to enter the 2025 edition of the continental football competition. Here you can learn more about the best sides and potential winners of the 2025 AFCON.
List of AFCON 2025 Favourites
First, you can find AFCON predictions for the current favourites to win the competition.

Nigeria
Nigeria has demonstrated exceptional performance in the AFCON qualifiers. The Super Eagles have secured a strong position in their qualification matches, showcasing both offensive and defensive prowess. They have achieved significant success by winning a majority of their games, scoring an impressive number of goals while maintaining a solid defence, conceding only a few goals in their qualifying group.
South Africa
While South Africa has experienced ups and downs in AFCON, they have shown considerable progress recently. Nigeria national football team finished the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (qualifying) campaign with 11 points in their group.
Thre-time champions Ivory Coast earned their place by finishing as winners of Group G in the qualification stage.
The country has a strong recent history in the AFCON and last won in 2015. Also, between 1992 and 2015, Ivory Coast finished in the top four six times.
DR Congo
Lastly, DR Congo can be considered AFCON favourites due to their impressive recent form.
In the quarter-finals, DR Congo demonstrated their resilience by coming from behind to secure a 3-1 win against Guinea, with goals from Chancel Mbemba, Yoane Wissa, and Arthur Masuaku, highlighting their fighting spirit and ability to overturn deficits
AFCON 2025 Top Scorers Favourites
In this section, you can view the stats and an overview of the possible AFCON top scorers.
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Sadio Mane
Senegal’s captain and leading player, Sadio Mane always carries a goal threat in the AFCON. During qualifying, the forward struck five goals, and he scored three goals during the 2021 AFCON finals.
Also, the Bayern Munich player is the third top goalscorer in Senegal football history.
Victor Osimhen
Nigeria star Victor Osimhen has scored seven goals in five group games so far. The striker was also one of the leading players in Europe last season.
Osimhen struck 26 goals in 32 league matches for the Italian team Napoli. As a result, he finished as the Serie A top scorer.
AFCON 2025 Favourites FAQs
To conclude this AFCON betting favourites review, you can view answers to bettors’ most common questions.
Zambia is likely to be an outsider option to win the AFCON considering its last results. The nation has never won the tournament.
In addition, with other big African nations yet to qualify for the finals, including Cameroon and Ghana, Zambia’s chances to win could fall further.
Currently, Nigeria is one of the leading favourites to win the tournament. The nation is the holder of the Africa Cup of Nations title, and the team has several strong players.
You can bet on Nigeria at the best AFCON betting sites.
Overall, factors like team form, home advantage, individual player performance and managerial strength can impact a nation’s favourite status at the AFCON.
