Claude Le Roy Tips Morocco, Senegal and Nigeria as AFCON 2025 Title Contenders
Veteran French coach Claude Le Roy has shared his assessment of the leading contenders for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, backing Senegal, Morocco and Nigeria as the teams most likely to challenge for continental glory.
AFCON 2025 will be staged in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January, with 24 nations battling for Africa’s most prestigious international trophy. Le Roy’s opinion carries significant weight, given his long and successful history in African football.
Now 77, Le Roy famously guided Cameroon to AFCON glory in 1988, a tournament also hosted by Morocco. Over the years, he has coached several African nations including Cameroon, Senegal, Togo, DR Congo, Congo and Ghana, building a reputation as one of the continent’s most experienced tacticians.
Speaking on Canal+, the former Togo coach singled out Senegal as a particularly strong force heading into the tournament.
“Senegal play very well. You only have to look at the statistics. For me, after Morocco, Senegal are the biggest favourites in this Africa Cup of Nations, even ahead of Nigeria,” Le Roy said.
Among the three nations highlighted, Nigeria are the most successful historically, having won the AFCON title three times. Morocco lifted the trophy once in 1976, while Senegal claimed their maiden title in 2021.
With the tournament returning to North Africa and several heavyweight nations arriving in strong form, AFCON 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions in recent years.
AFCON 2025 – Group Stage Fixtures (Teams Mentioned)
Morocco (Atlas Lions)
- 22 December: Morocco vs Mali
- 26 December: Morocco vs Comoros
- 29 December: Morocco vs Zambia
Senegal (Lions of Teranga)
- 23 December: Senegal vs Gambia
- 27 December: Senegal vs Guinea
- 30 December: Senegal vs Cameroon
Nigeria (Super Eagles)
- 24 December: Nigeria vs Tanzania
- 28 December: Nigeria vs Tunisia
- 31 December: Nigeria vs Uganda
