AFCON 2025: Supercomputer Picks Tournament Winner Ahead of Knockout Stage
- Opta’s supercomputer has forecast which teams are most likely to reach the quarter-finals and ultimately lift the trophy at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
- The Round of 16 gets underway today, with Senegal facing Sudan before Mali take on 2004 champions Tunisia
- Among the standout ties of the round are Algeria’s clash with DR Congo and South Africa’s showdown against five-time winners Cameroon
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Opta’s supercomputer has released its predictions for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as the tournament enters the knockout stage.
The 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations has now reached the Round of 16, with 16 of the original 24 teams still competing for Africa’s premier men’s football crown.
Source: Getty Images
The countries advancing are: Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Tunisia, DR Congo, Benin, Mali, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
Some of Africa’s top stars remain in the hunt for their first AFCON title, including Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, Achraf Hakimi, and Victor Osimhen, all progressing with their national teams to the knockout rounds.
Others, however, saw their tournaments end at the group stage. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) and Patson Daka (Zambia) were eliminated after their sides failed to advance, and will thus rejoin their clubs, Olympique Marseille and Leicester City respectively.
However, both players and coaches know the path to glory will only get tougher as the tournament progresses, with Opta’s supercomputer offering predictions on how it might unfold.
Opta supercomputer predicts AFCON 2025 winner
As at the start of the competition, Opta has again tipped hosts Morocco to lift their second-ever AFCON title, giving the Atlas Lions a 22.82% chance.
Per Supersport, Morocco impressed in the group stage, topping Group A with seven points, and now face Tanzania, who advanced as one of the best third-placed teams, with a quarterfinal clash against either South Africa or Cameroon awaiting the winner.
Algeria follow in second with a 13.64% chance. The Desert Foxes are one of only two teams to maintain a perfect record so far.
After winning the 2019 edition, they were eliminated in the group stages of subsequent tournaments but have rediscovered form under Bosnian coach Vladimir Petković. A victory over DR Congo would set up a quarterfinal against either Nigeria or Mozambique.
Source: Getty Images
Interestingly, only one of Morocco or Algeria can reach the final as they are on the same side of the bracket.
Third and fourth on Opta's list are Senegal and Egypt, with 13.62% and 13.26% chance, respectively. The two teams could also actually meet in the semi-finals if they win their Round of 16 and quarter-final matches.
According to Opta, Mali, Senegal, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Cameroon, Nigeria and Algeria will qualify for the quarter-finals.
Gyan names Nigeria among 2025 AFCON favourites
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Asamoah Gyan has shared his predictions for the 2025 AFCON, naming the teams he believes are most likely to win.
Among the favourites, Ghana's all-time leading goalscorer highlighted Nigeria as a strong contender for the title.
Source: YEN.com.gh
