Mali coach Tom Saintfiet picks Morocco as clear favourites to win AFCON 2025

Head coach of Mali, Tom Saintfiet has named Morocco as the clear favourites to secure the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 35th edition of Africa’s premier football competition will be held in Morocco between December 2025 and January 2026, with 24 countries set to battle for the covetous trophy.

For Tom Saintfiet, the North African countries are the clear favorites to annex the title particularly, Morocco.

“Yes, 100% of the North African countries have the advantage. We also saw this at the World Cup in Qatar, where the Arab countries performed best. For me, Morocco is the clear favorite, but Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt also have the ability to win this title,” he stated in an interview with Masrawy.

Aside Morocco, the former Gambia tactician has named Senegal and Nigeria among the favourites to secure the continental showpiece.

Mali has been paired in Group A against host country, Morocco, Comoros and Zambia. The Eagles will open their continental showpiece account on December 22, 2025.