The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in less than a week in Morocco. The various national teams have now unveiled their squads for the tournament. As usual, pundits have compiled their traditional rankings of favorites, outsiders, and potential surprises.

Since the expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations to 24 teams, upsets have become commonplace. This 35th edition is not expected to be an exception. Nations like Comoros, Benin, Sudan, Mozambique, and Gabon have strong arguments to cause an upset.

Benin: The Cheetahs ready to bare their teeth

Despite missing out on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Benin remains a team capable of defying expectations. This year, the Cheetahs narrowly missed out on World Cup qualification in a tough group that included Nigeria and South Africa.

Led by a promising new generation and guided by the experienced coach Gernot Rohr, the Benin national team has the necessary assets to establish itself as one of the surprises of this AFCON-2025.

Mozambique: Mambas without pressure

In their second consecutive appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Mambas are beginning to establish themselves as a permanent fixture in the African football scene. In the previous edition, they held their own against Egypt and Ghana, showing promising potential.

Third in World Cup qualifying, Mozambique demonstrated their ability to play attractive football. Drawn in Group F alongside defending champions Ivory Coast and Cameroon, the Mambas face a significant challenge, one they will approach with confidence.

Comoros: Coelacanths are dangerous!

With a population of 866,628, the Comoros archipelago will be competing in its second Africa Cup of Nations finals. Thanks to an active diaspora, particularly in Europe and France, the national team continues its progress.

Having reached the round of 16 at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, the Coelacanths have gained valuable experience. Led by veterans Youssouf M'Changama and El Fardou Ben Mohamed (36 years old), the national team's all-time leading scorer with 19 goals in 40 matches, Comoros will play without pressure and represent a formidable opponent.

Sudan: Are the Crocodiles on the lookout for top dogs?

Despite the difficult context of the civil war, Sudan managed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The Crocodiles also had a respectable run in the World Cup qualifiers, finishing third behind Senegal and DR Congo.

Composed mainly of players from the country's two major clubs, Al Hilal and Al Merreikh, the Sudanese national team displays technical and athletic qualities capable of posing problems for the major African nations.

Gabon: Veterans motivated for one last battle

Having missed the last Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Gabon has shown significant progress on the continental stage over the past two years. Led by a world-class player like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Panthers arrive in Morocco with the ambition of redeeming themselves after a heartbreaking elimination in the World Cup playoffs.

This edition could mark the last appearance of several iconic players such as Bruno Ecuele Manga (37 years old), Aubameyang (36 years old) or Guélor Kanga (35 years old), determined to deliver one last battle under the national colors.

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