The 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations has, for the most part, followed a straightforward script. For a tournament often defined by minnows enjoying fairytale runs, there has been no true underdog story this time around.
Instead, the traditional heavyweights appear to have stamped their authority on the continent’s most prestigious competition.
From Brahim Díaz stepping up for Morocco in the absence of Achraf Hakimi, to Ademola Lookman leading the goal contribution charts and Amad Diallo emerging as one of the frontrunners for Player of the Tournament, this edition is shaping up as a tournament dominated by the big boys.
The numbers back this up. Since the introduction of the FIFA rankings in 1992, AFCON 2025 is the first edition in which all eight quarter-finalists are ranked in Africa’s top 10.
The closest previous instances were in 2008 and 2017, when seven of the final eight teams came from the top 10.
Also, all eight remaining teams are unbeaten in this tournament, a testament to the quality of what lies ahead.
BetKing Betting tips for 2025 AFCON Knock-Out Stage
With that context in mind, let’s break down the chances of the remaining eight teams as they aim to lift the title on 18th January.
Morocco
After reaching the semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a historic achievement for both an African and Arab nation, Morocco entered AFCON 2023 carrying heavy expectations, and they ultimately buckled under that pressure.
This time around, however, they have managed the spotlight more effectively, even while dealing with a different kind of pressure as the host nation.
Morocco has won three of its four matches so far, conceding just once.
Despite being without captain and reigning African Player of the Year, Achraf Hakimi, during the group stage, the North Africans pushed on, with tournament-leading scorer Brahim Díaz (four goals; already a Moroccan AFCON record) and Ayoub El Kaabi (three goals) leading the charge.
Having completed 2,184 passes, the most of any team, and recorded three clean sheets, they have shown few obvious weaknesses as they target a first semi-final appearance since 2004.
Hakimi’s return to fitness has provided a timely boost, highlighted by his assist in the 1–0 Round of 16 victory over Tanzania.
Combined with the advantage of playing in front of home support, it is little surprise that BetKing have Morocco as tournament favourites.
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Senegal
Senegal has enjoyed an impressive tournament so far, despite a somewhat expected hiccup on Matchday 2 that saw them held to a draw by DR Congo.
In their other three matches, they have scored three goals in each, including a 3–1 victory over Sudan in the Round of 16.
What has stood out about the Lions of Teranga is their effective use of squad depth, with different players stepping up at key moments.
From Pape Gueye, whose first-half brace against Sudan put the team firmly in control of that Round of 16 tie, to Sadio Mané, who has registered three assists, and Nicolas Jackson, who set the tone in the opening win over Botswana, this has been a strong collective showing from the 2021 champions.
Senegal goes into the quarter-final as favourites against Mali, a side they have not lost to in 13 meetings (six wins, seven draws).
While goals have been at a premium at this AFCON, Senegal have shown they possess the quality needed to find them, and that puts them at #2 on this list by BetKing.
BetKing Betting Tip:
Nigeria
An ill-advised outburst from star forward Victor Osimhen may have overshadowed an otherwise impressive Round of 16 victory for the Super Eagles, but setting that episode aside, it has been difficult to ignore the quality of the tournament the three-time AFCON champions are having.
While there are clear defensive concerns, highlighted by the four goals conceded in the group stage, the most among the eight quarter-finalists, their tournament-leading 12 goals underline an attacking strength capable of compensating for those shortcomings.
After scoring just once in his previous AFCON appearances, Osimhen has been in excellent form this time, netting three goals so far.
Akor Adams, with two assists, has been a valuable addition to the starting lineup, while Alex Iwobi has drawn widespread praise for a series of commanding midfield performances, reminiscent of the influence once exerted by his uncle.
However, the standout performer has been Ademola Lookman. With three goals and a tournament-high four assists, the Atalanta forward has been the most decisive player in the final third at this AFCON.
Motivated by the desire to make amends for missing out on the 2026 World Cup, the Super Eagles have built momentum, and the online betting community can get 5 times their betting stake by picking them to go all the way and deliver the long-awaited 4th AFCON title.
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Ivory Coast
Reigning champions Ivory Coast have mounted a solid defence of their title so far, recording victories in three of their four matches.
After scoring just twice in their opening two games, their attack has come to life in the last two outings, producing six unanswered goals.
In their final group-stage match against Gabon, they were surprisingly two goals down after just 21 minutes, but they haven’t stopped scoring since that point.
Manchester United forward Amad Diallo has assumed a more prominent role within the squad and has repaid the faith shown in him.
He has been named Man of the Match in three of their four games and has contributed three goals. While there are signs they can be rattled, the Elephants, much like in the previous edition, where they won, appear to get better as the tournament progresses.
That upward trajectory gives them a slight edge and places them fourth on this list.
BetKing Betting Tip:
Egypt
After a tough start to the season at Liverpool, Mohamed Salah arrived at this tournament with added motivation, both to win the competition and to remind the football world, and perhaps decision-makers at Merseyside, that he remains among the game’s elite.
That drive appears to have filtered through the squad, with the Pharaohs now just three wins away from securing a record-extending eighth AFCON title.
Egypt has not dazzled with its performances. They managed only three goals in the group stage, although they were impressive defensively, conceding just once.
In the Round of 16, that tally was doubled in a 3–1 victory over a good Benin side.
Despite the scoreline, the performance itself was unconvincing, but the win extended Egypt’s unbeaten run against African opposition to 14 matches, comprising 12 wins and two draws.
Unbeaten in their last five games, with four wins and a draw, Hossam Hassan’s side will look to maintain that momentum on Saturday.
Salah has scored half of Egypt’s goals in the tournament, and his experience is expected to be crucial when they face Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals, particularly considering recent injury concerns.
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Algeria
Algeria are one of two teams with a 100% winning record at this AFCON, and that perfect run will be tested against the only other side to share it, Nigeria.
After a disastrous showing at the previous AFCON, where they finished bottom of their group, the Desert Warriors have gone a long way towards redeeming themselves in this edition.
While traditionally known for their attacking quality, it is their defensive solidity that has stood out most so far.
Alongside hosts Morocco, they have conceded just once throughout the tournament and have recorded three clean sheets.
Their Round of 16 encounter with DR Congo proved to be their toughest challenge to date, but Algeria rose to the occasion, edging a dramatic 1–0 victory after extra time, with Adil Boulbina’s 119th-minute strike sealing the win.
However, a key concern and a major reason they sit lower on this list is a growing injury problem.
Midfielder Ismaël Bennacer, who was forced off against DR Congo, remains a doubt, while Anis Hadj Moussa is expected to miss the rest of the tournament.
The good news is Jaouen Hadjam, who missed the last two matches after picking up an injury against Burkina Faso, could return. But, there are questions about that being a risk.
The last AFCON meeting between Algeria and Nigeria is still remembered for Riyad Mahrez’s decisive free-kick, and the winger is once again in fine scoring form, having scored three of Algeria’s seven goals so far.
For Algeria to go all the way, a performance of similar inspiration may once again be required from their talisman.
BetKing Betting Tip:
Cameroon
Five-time African champions Cameroon face a daunting task when they come up against host nation Morocco.
Well, the Indomitable Lions won’t exactly agree with that, seeing as they’ve hardly ever been shaken by opposition fans in this context.
Historically, Cameroon has faced host nations in the knockout stages on six occasions, suffering just one defeat; a loss to Egypt in the 1986 final.
They defeated;
– Senegal 1–0 in the 1992 quarter-final,
– Morocco 1–0 in the 1988 semi-final,
– Mali 3–0 in the 2002 semi-final,
– Ghana 1–0 in the 2008 semi-final, and
– famously beat Nigeria on penalties in the 2000 final after a 2–2 draw.
They’ve also kept nine clean sheets in their 13 AFCON meetings with host nations, including their last three against;
– Mali (2002),
– Ghana (2008), and
– Gabon (2017).
In this tournament, they have made the last eight despite spending long periods under pressure.
Among the quarter-finalists, their average possession of 43.2% is the lowest, and in the Round of 16 against South Africa they had just 33.5% of the ball; their lowest figure since 2010.
Their passing has also been below par, with a pass completion rate of 77%, ranking 21st. In addition, they have managed just one clean sheet so far.
Despite those numbers, Cameroon’s rich tournament pedigree and their attacking threat, led by Bryan Mbeumo, who has created nine chances during the competition, mean they cannot be counted out.
Betting Tip:
Mali
Mali represents the closest thing to an underdog story still alive in the tournament, and the statistics explain their position at the bottom of this list: they are yet to record a win.
At the same time, they are also unbeaten, an admittedly optimistic way of framing their campaign so far. Mali drew all three of their group-stage matches, scoring twice and conceding twice.
In the Round of 16 against Tunisia, a dramatic 96th-minute penalty from Lassine Sinayoko forced the match into extra time before they eventually won in a penalty shoot-out.
While they may lack the overall quality of most of the other quarter-finalists, their mental resilience has been a defining strength.
Having already held Morocco to a draw on Matchday 2, Mali are expected to persist with a compact, opportunistic approach when they face Senegal, hoping it can carry them to an AFCON final and perhaps even to a historic first-ever title.
Betting Tip:
