Ghanaian football icon, Asamoah Gyan has backed Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Morocco as the three strongest contenders to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.
Gyan shared his thoughts while speaking to CAF Media on the red carpet at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat, where he presented the Goal of the Year award.
“Unfortunately, Ghana is out of AFCON 2025” – Gyan
The former Black Stars captain admitted Ghana’s absence from AFCON for the first time in 21 years remains painful, but he is optimistic about the teams he believes are primed for glory.
“We’ve got a lot of giants who are going. Ghana is out, we’re very disappointed, but it’s okay, we’ve qualified for the World Cup,”
“Nigeria did well; they were close in the previous editions. Ivory Coast did well… Morocco is also a strong contender.”
“I will say these three countries that I have mentioned; Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Morocco.”
Why Gyan Believes the Three Are Favourites
Nigeria
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AFCON 2023 runners-up
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AFCON 2019 third-place finishers
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Strong squad depth and recent consistency
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Seeking redemption after missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup
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Drawn in Group C with Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania
Ivory Coast
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Defending champions, having staged a dramatic comeback to win AFCON 2023 on home soil
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Eliminated Nigeria in the final, proving their resilience and tournament mentality
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Aiming to become the first side since Egypt (2008–2010) to retain the trophy
Morocco
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Hosting AFCON for the first time since 1988
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Boasting one of Africa’s strongest squads
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Riding on strong World Cup qualification form
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Expected to benefit from passionate home support
“African football has grown” – Gyan on Rising Competitiveness
Asamoah Gyan, who scored 8 AFCON goals across four tournaments, praised the increasing quality across Africa, describing the upcoming edition as one of the most competitive in recent history.
He noted that the strength of the qualified teams and the rapid development across national teams have raised expectations for AFCON 2025.
All Eyes on Morocco 2025
With the stage set for a fiercely contested AFCON 2025 tournament, the focus now shifts to:
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Whether Nigeria can break their 12-year AFCON drought
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If Ivory Coast can defend their crown
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Whether Morocco can lift the trophy on home soil for the first time
