TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025: Five Teams to Watch
The Final Draw of the 35th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held in the Moroccan capital of Rabat on Monday, 27 January.
The tournament, returning to Moroccan soil 37 years after the 1988 edition won by Cameroon, promises to deliver thrilling football as 24 teams vie for continental glory.
CAFOnline.com highlights five teams to keep an eye on as they prepare to showcase their talent and determination in Africa’s most prestigious football event.
Côte d’Ivoire: The Reigning Champions Aim to Prove Their Worth
Fresh from their dramatic victory on home soil earlier this year, the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire have everything to prove in Morocco.
Under the innovative leadership of Emerse Faé, recently crowned CAF Coach of the Year, the team faces the challenge of demonstrating that their triumph was no fluke.
While their AFCON 2025 qualification campaign was far from stellar—finishing second in Group G behind Zambia—the team’s ambition remains undeterred.
Côte d’Ivoire will rely on their young, talented squad and Faé’s strategic brilliance to cement their status as African football heavyweights, despite dropping to 46th in the latest FIFA rankings (sixth in Africa).
Benin: The Cheetahs’ Long-Awaited Return
Benin returns to the AFCON after missing the last two editions, securing qualification by the narrowest of margins.
The Cheetahs finished second in Group D, edging Rwanda on goal difference, and will look to build on their impressive 2019 quarter-final run, which included a stunning elimination of Morocco.
With experienced coach Gernot Rohr at the helm, Benin is poised to reignite its AFCON journey.
Rohr’s tactical expertise and proven leadership bring renewed hope to a team eager to make a lasting impact.
Angola: Breaking New Ground
Angola enters AFCON 2025 with momentum after a stellar qualifying campaign that saw them top Group F, remaining unbeaten against Sudan, Niger, and Ghana.
This performance, coupled with their strong showing at the previous tournament, where they reached the quarter-finals, highlights their growing strength.
Coach Pedro Gonçalves has crafted a resilient team capable of challenging the continent’s best.
Angola, participating in their 10th AFCON, will aim to surpass their historical best of reaching the quarter-finals (2008, 2010, and 2023) and finally break through to the semi-finals.
Morocco: Redemption on Home Soil
Despite reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco fell short at the last AFCON, suffering a surprising Round of 16 exit to South Africa.
However, the Atlas Lions rebounded with a flawless qualification campaign, winning all six of their matches in Group B.
Under coach Walid Regragui, Morocco boasts a squad brimming with talent and experience.
Hosting the tournament offers an additional advantage, as the team seeks to secure their second AFCON title—50 years after their first triumph in 1976.
Tanzania: The Taifa Stars’ Big Opportunity
Tanzania stunned many by outperforming Guinea in Group H to secure their spot at AFCON 2025.
Finishing second behind the DR Congo, the Taifa Stars delivered a standout performance, defeating Guinea home and away in the qualifiers.
With their fourth AFCON appearance on the horizon, coach Hemed 'Morocco' Suleiman and his team aim to make history by advancing beyond the group stage for the first time.
Their qualification journey hints at a team capable of delivering more surprises on the grand stage.
