AFCON: Claude Le Roy identifies candidates to lift trophy

Veteran French coach Claude Le Roy has given his verdict on which countries stand a chance of winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

All eyes will turn to Morocco between December 21 and January 18 when twenty-four countries gather to battle for honours. Le Roy, 77, has a rich expertise which cannot be underestimated, having managed six different African countries including leading Cameroon to the AFCON title in 1988 in Morocco.

The former Togo coach has tipped Senegal as the strongest candidate alongside Morocco or Nigeria to lift the 2025 edition in Morocco.

Speaking on Canal +, Le Roy stated: “Senegal play well. You only have to look at the stats and before Nigeria, they are the second big favourite behind Morocco for me in this Africa Cup of Nations.”

Le Roy’s previous coaching experience include times with Cameroon, Senegal, Togo, DR Congo, Congo and Ghana.

Among the three nations tipped by Le Roy, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have lifted the AFCON trophy on three occasions with both the Atlas Lions of Morocco and Senegal’s Lions of Teranga winning the title once each in 1976 and 2021 respectively.