Le Roy tips Nigeria for 2025 AFCON title

Cameroon’s 1988 AFCON-winning coach Claude Le Roy has tipped the Super Eagles as well as hosts Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Egypt and Algeria as the favourites to contend for the title in December.

The 2025 tournament will be played from December 21 to January 18, 2026, across six cities in Morocco.

Nigeria finished as runners-up at the last tournament, losing to hosts Ivory Coast in the final and they will be seeking a fourth continental title having been drawn into a group alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.

With a proud AFCON history that includes 16 medals—three gold, five silver, and eight bronze—Nigeria will once again be among the tournament favourites and Le Roy sees that as well.

 “Logically, they (Morocco) are the biggest favourites,” Le Roy told LeSitelnfo.

“Senegal, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Algeria… Egypt is always a formidable opponent in this competition. We must also be careful with South Africa, which continues to progress thanks to a very good coach. Cameroon is also one of the competitors who are always difficult to beat.”

Le Roy famously led Cameroon to victory at the 1988 AFCON—the last time Morocco hosted the tournament—defeating Nigeria 1-0 in the final, thanks to an Emmanuel Kundé penalty.

That controversial loss remains one of Nigeria’s most painful AFCON moments and stands as Le Roy’s greatest coaching achievement.

Now 77, the Frenchman looks forward to returning to the scene of his biggest triumph.

 “Today, the Kingdom is capable of organising a World Cup. I think that the next African Cup will be exceptional, in a country that I love. It is a great football nation. For my part, it will bring back many memories. I won the CAN in Morocco, and it is a great pleasure for me to return there,” he said.

Now under Franco-Malian coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles will begin their quest for a fourth African title against Tanzania on December 23 at the Fez Stadium in Fez.

Four days later, they will face Tunisia at the same venue, before taking on Uganda’s Cranes on December 30.