2025 AFCON Predictions - Africa Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations Soccer Predictions: Presentation of the 2025 AFCON
The Africa Cup of Nations will be available to follow on SportyTrader at the end of 2025! From December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, the 35th edition of the AFCON will be held in Morocco. It's a great opportunity to place bets, compare odds, and follow all the matches live.
Following Senegal's long-awaited first victory in 2022 and Côte d'Ivoire's home win in 2024, Africa's top nations will compete for the trophy and the title of Africa's best team.
How can you bet successfully on the Africa Cup of Nations? What do you need to know about the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations? Everything is explained below. Get your predictions ready for the Africa Cup of Nations, as the tournament promises to be fiercely contested!
2025 AFCON Winner Prediction: Who will win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations?
Held in Morocco, we believe that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations could well favor the home team.
It is often said, and often proven true, that the location of the AFCON is often a determining factor in the outcome of the competition. With a superb generation brimming with talent, on a superb unbeaten run and with home advantage, we can see the Atlas Lions going all the way!
Of course, nations such as the Ivory Coast, Algeria, Senegal, and Egypt are likely to be in contention and should not be underestimated. But for now, here is our most reliable prediction for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations: victory for Morocco!
2025 AFCON Futures
- Morocco +270
- Algeria +600
- Egypt +600
- Senegal +650
- Nigeria +1000
- Mali +1200
- Tunisia +1200
- Ivory Coast +1200
- Cameroon +1800
- South Africa +3500
- DR Congo +4500
- Angola +6000
- Burkina Faso +7000
- Zambia +7000
- Gabon +7000
- Equatorial Guinea +8000
- Mozambique +8000
- Sudan +8000
- Benin +8000
- Comoros +10000
- Tanzania +10000
- Uganda +15000
- Zimbabwe +25000
- Botswana +35000
Odds provided by fanduel.com.
AFCON Top Scorer Prediction: Who will win the Golden Boot?
For your long-term bets, keep in mind that there are other options available besides betting on the future winner of the competition.
For example, you can bet on the competition's top scorer! Here are the names to watch before the competition kicks off:
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
- Hamza Igamane (Morocco)
- Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
- Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
- Amine Gouiri (Algeria)
- Sadio Mané (Senegal)
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
If you want to try this type of bet, the SportyTrader editorial team can only advise you to bet on Victor Osimhen.
The former Charleroi, Lille, and Napoli player has been in excellent form since his arrival at Galatasaray, scoring six goals in five games for the Super Eagles in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Soccer betting with DraftKings
2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group Stage: Our prediction on who will qualify
At online bookmakers, in addition to placing your soccer bets on the winner of the competition and the future top scorer of the tournament, you can also bet on the future groups for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Below are the different groups that have been drawn to compete for a place in the knockout stage:
- Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
- Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
- Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
- Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
- Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
- Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Our experts will be offering predictions on each of the matches in this group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations, and will continue to do so throughout the tournament, so don't hesitate to place a few bets.
The odds for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations matches will be attractive, so it would be a shame not to take advantage of them, given the welcome bonuses currently on offer on the market!
You can also find our predictions for the group winners below.
Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
This first group includes the host club of this 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. On a magnificent unbeaten streak before the start of their tournament, the Atlas Lions are expected to qualify without too much difficulty in a group that, on paper, is well within their reach.
Behind them, Mali, which also has a quality squad, took second place. Finally, Zambia could also secure its ticket to the round of 16 by finishing among the best third-place teams. It is difficult to see the Comoros pulling off an upset.
Our prediction: Morocco and Mali qualify!
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Here, Egypt will have to keep a close eye on South Africa in the battle for first place! For those who haven't been following, the Bafana Bafana had a superb run in the last 2026 World Cup qualifiers, finishing ahead of Nigeria, for example.
If we imagine the Pharaohs finishing just ahead, we suggest betting on South Africa for second place. Angola could well join the fight for qualification via third place, while the task seems far too daunting for Zimbabwe.
Our prediction: Egypt and South Africa will qualify!
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
In this third group, Nigeria starts as the clear favorite and will need to deliver. We are counting on Osimhen, Lookman, and their teammates to get the job done and take first place after three games.
Behind them, Tunisia could well take the second qualifying spot, while it seems very unlikely that Uganda or Tanzania will qualify, even if they finish among the best third-placed teams...
Our prediction: Nigeria and Tunisia will qualify!
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
The Congolese will already have the opportunity to take a little revenge on the Senegalese! We remember the 3-2 victory for the Elephants in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers... Unfortunately for our friends in the DRC, Senegal once again looks to be on top and will finish in first place.
But don't worry, Leopards fans, we still see your country finishing second and advancing to the round of 16. Behind them, Benin has the talent to be one of the best third-place teams and advance in the competition, which we don't think will be the case for Botswana.
Our prediction: Senegal and DR Congo will qualify!
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
In this penultimate group, Algeria is the favorite to finish in first place. And, while the squad may not be the best on paper, the DZ team still has many quality players. We see them finishing at the top!
Just behind, Burkina Faso seems to have a lead over its two other competitors for second place. Equatorial Guinea could well be among the best third-placed teams, while we see Sudan finishing in last place...
Our prediction: Algeria and Burkina Faso will qualify!
Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
This is undoubtedly the most competitive group on paper. We will see clashes between two outsiders/favorites, but also two countries with interesting squads that clearly should not be underestimated.
This is the most difficult group to predict, but we give a slight edge to the Ivory Coast, followed by Cameroon. Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang's Gabon could then finish among the best third-placed teams.
Our prediction: Ivory Coast and Cameroon will qualify!
Beginner bettors - how does the AFCON soccer tournament work?
As in the last edition, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will feature 24 qualified teams. From December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, the competition will be divided into two phases: the group stage and the knockout stage.
In the group stage, the African teams will be divided into six groups of four, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the round of 16.
A unique feature of this phase is that qualification is also possible as one of the best third-placed teams. Four of the six nations that finish third in their groups will be repêchées (reinstated) for the rest of the competition.
The second phase, the knockout stage, is then very traditional, with single-match round of 16 games, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, a third-place match, and finally the grand final.
To summarize in a few points, here is what you need to remember:
- 24 qualified teams
- Group stage (6 groups of four)
- Top two teams in each group qualify for the round of 16
- Four best third-placed teams (out of six) qualify for the round of 16
- Knockout matches from the round of 16 to the final
- Extra time and penalty shootouts in the event of a tie from the round of 16 onwards
- Third-place match between the losing semi-finalists
Ultimately, the Africa Cup of Nations is organized in a similar way to the Euro, so there should be no confusion for bettors. Keep this format for the 2025 AFCON in mind when predicting the matches.
How to make good predictions on an African Cup of Nations soccer match?
Want to predict the 2025 African Cup of Nations like an African soccer expert? Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
According to the specialists at SportyTrader, here's what you need to do to bet better on the competition. Better predictions on the African Cup of Nations are undoubtedly the key.
- Watch the latest matches played in Africa.
- Study the list of absentees for each AFCON match.
- Know the exact stakes of the match.
- Take into account the history of previous encounters.
- Note the location and time of the African Cup of Nations match.
These are basic practices that you absolutely must adopt before predicting AFCON matches, or you may be in for some nasty surprises.
For more details on each of these five tips, please read on. The SportyTrader editorial team explains its advice in a few words.
Tip #1: Watch the latest games played in Africa
To predict the outcome of an African Cup match, the first thing to do is, of course, to look at the last few games played by both teams.
You should note the scores and results of the last few games (wins, draws, losses), but also, and more importantly, the statistics from those games. Don't hesitate to rewatch the games.
Has the team kept several clean sheets? Has it been impressive in attack recently? What about the number of chances conceded and created? The number of fouls conceded and committed? The ball possession ratio?
The answers to these questions will give you an overall picture of each African team. Don't underestimate the importance of this in your analysis!
Tip #2: Study the list of players who are unavailable for each match in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Another good habit to get into during the Africa Cup of Nations is to note any players who may be absent from the match you want to bet on.
As you know, modern soccer relies heavily on individual players, especially when matches are expected to be tough and tense, as is the case with the Africa Cup of Nations. So pay attention to who is absent!
For example, if a team's starting goalkeeper is injured or suspended, the team's top scorer is ill, or even if just a few regular substitutes are unavailable, it's best to avoid betting big on their country's victory.
If Osimhen is not there for Nigeria, for example, or Salah for Egypt, the difference will quickly become apparent. So get into the habit of studying the list of absentees for all the matches you want to bet on online.
Tip #3: Know exactly what is at stake in the matchup
Between a first group match, a final match, or a knockout match, the stakes will not necessarily be the same for the teams in this Africa Cup of Nations. So be careful when placing your bets!
For example, in a first group match, both teams will likely play their game in an attempt to win the three points. This won't necessarily be the case on the last day, when a draw may be enough to qualify for the round of 16, or even when a nation is already guaranteed to be eliminated.
To find the right prediction for a 2025 AFCON match, make sure you know what stage of the tournament it is and how important the match is for both teams. This will help you avoid some unpleasant pitfalls.
Tip #4: Take into account the history of face-to-face meetings
African soccer is full of rivalries. Examples include the tense Algeria-Egypt matches, the West African rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana, and the classic Côte d'Ivoire-Cameroon and Senegal-Cameroon matches. This must be taken into account before betting on such a match.
More generally, you need to be aware of the psychological stakes of each African Cup match before betting.
Has a team been criticized at home after a disappointing first match? Is the match between two historically rival nations? Has a country not lost in 10 matches against its current opponent? All of these factors can influence the outcome of a match.
Before making your prediction for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, take five minutes to analyze the context. The head-to-head record can be found in our written predictions.
Tip #5: Make a note of the location and time of the Africa Cup of Nations match.
Another important tip is to know the location and time of the AFCON match you want to bet on. At this time of year, it's around 20 degrees Celsius in Morocco in the afternoon, which is perfect weather for playing soccer!
It is therefore essential to know the location and kick-off time of the match, as players will not perform as well in an afternoon match as they will in a match that starts in the early evening.
Ultimately, these five tips should help you better understand the context of a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations match and optimize your chances of success with online bookmakers. If you don't have time to analyze the match in such detail, you can simply read the predictions at the top of the page. Our experts have analyzed everything in depth.
What not to do when making your predictions for the Africa Cup of Nations
When it comes to bad betting practices, there are a few that you should really avoid during the Africa Cup of Nations. Here are some examples of what not to do:
- Betting without analyzing the ACN match
- Betting based solely on the prestige of a nation
- Betting on a match where one team has nothing at stake
- Predicting the favorite without reason
- Betting immediately after losing a bet on the CAN
- Placing a bet on your favorite African team
- Multiplying combination bets on the competition
- Making too many goal predictions
These are eight mistakes that are often made by novice bettors during the AFCON, and which, unfortunately, lead to regular losses of money. So it's up to you not to make the same mistakes.
Key statistics about the Africa Cup of Nations
| Stat | Group Phase | Elims | Tournament total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average goals | 2.47 goals | 1.81 goals | 2.27 goals |
| Matches with +0.5 goals | 92% | 88% | 90% |
| Matches with +1.5 goals | 72% | 34% | 69% |
| Matches with +2.5 goals | 42% | 25% | 37% |
| Matches with +3.5 goals | 31% | 6% | 23% |
| Matches in which both teams scored | 47% | 44% | 46% |
| Matches with a victory by 2 goals or more | 31% | 19% | 27% |
| Matches with a tie at halftime | 36% | 63% | 44% |
| Matches ending in a draw | 42% | 38% | 40% |
Frequent scores at the Africa Cup of Nations
| Score | Group Phase | Elims | Tournament Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-0 (or 0-1) | 19% | 31% | 23% |
| 1-1 | 19% | 25% | 21% |
| 2-0 (or 0-2) | 11% | 13% | 12% |
| 2-2 | 14% | 0% | 10% |
| 0-0 | 8% | 13% | 10% |
*Stats recorded during the last edition played in 2024.
What we learned from the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is that the matches are not always the most spectacular.
Once the group stage is over, focus on Under bets on the number of goals and avoid handicap bets.
Goalscorer, Over and BTTS (both teams to score) bets should be concentrated ahead of the knockout matches.
In short: how to bet successfully on the Africa Cup of Nations and make winning predictions on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations matches?
The AFCON is undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited football events of late 2025 and early 2026. To make accurate predictions for the 2025 AFCON matches, the numerous tips mentioned on this page should be applied to each game.
Take the time to analyze the context of each match, learn about the progress of the tournament, key figures, and adopt good betting practices. In addition to consulting our team's free predictions, this will allow you to make the most of your betting slips on online sports betting sites and avoid excessive losses in this competition.
So take a thoughtful approach to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, base your analysis of the competition's matches on the right figures and information, and you will maximize your winnings with bookmakers during this AFCON in Morocco. This will allow you to enjoy the tournament in the best possible way and get the most out of placing reliable sports bets.
Our current predictions for the Africa Cup of Nations
There are no previews at the moment for this competition
2025 AFCON: the best odds for betting on matches
Odds are not yet available for this competition.
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