Despite Ghana’s failure to qualify for the tournament, Gyan believes Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be strong contenders, alongside hosts Morocco and defending champions Ivory Coast.

The Super Eagles, fresh off their heartbreak of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, are expected to channel their disappointment into a fierce push for their fourth AFCON title. Speaking on the sidelines of the 2025 CAF Awards in Morocco, Gyan highlighted Nigeria’s potential, emphasizing the strength of other African powerhouses as well.

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“Ghana is out, and we’re very disappointed about that, but we’ve qualified for the World Cup, so it’s okay. Nigeria did well in the last AFCON, and they were close. Ivory Coast also performed well. These are some of the teams that will be in contention for the title,” Gyan said.

He added, “Morocco is another strong contender, so I would say these three countries; Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Morocco are the favorites for the tournament.”

Nigeria has been drawn into Group C for AFCON 2025, where they will face Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda in the group stages. The Super Eagles will open their campaign against Tanzania on December 23, followed by Tunisia on December 27, and Uganda on December 30.

The Super Eagles’ last AFCON victory came in 2013 under the late coach Stephen Keshi, adding to their titles from 1980 and 1994. With the pressure of recent setbacks, this year’s competition presents a chance to reassert their dominance in African football.

Source: Punch