The December 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is drawing closer. Former Ghana star Asamoah Gyan has identified his top three contenders. He named Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and tournament hosts Morocco as the teams to watch.
Gyan shared his predictions at the recent CAF Awards in Morocco. He acknowledged the overall strength of African football. However, he also expressed disappointment regarding Ghana’s absence from the competition.
“We have many giants heading to the tournament,” Gyan stated. “Ghana is out, which makes us very disappointed. But it is okay; we have qualified for the World Cup.”
The ex-striker, a former captain of the Black Stars, highlighted Nigeria’s strong showing at the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. He noted the Super Eagles came very close to winning the trophy.
“Nigeria performed well; they were close in the last two years. Ivory Coast also did well,” he observed. “We have many strong teams in the mix.”
Gyan also lauded Morocco’s consistent performance. He pointed to their growing confidence on the continental stage as a key factor.
“Morocco is another strong contender and is doing well,” Gyan added. “I would name these three countries: Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Morocco.”
Nigeria’s journey to the last AFCON final ended in a 2-1 defeat to host nation Ivory Coast. With the next tournament approaching, Gyan’s predictions have already sparked significant discussion among fans and analysts about the likely champions.
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