Algeria
Profile
- Nickname: The Desert Foxes
- Appearances: 20x
- Last appearance: 2023
- Titles: 2 (1990, 2019)
- FIFA Ranking: 36
Algeria returns to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025. The Desert Foxes are eager to honor their past and aim for a third continental title, following previous triumphs in 1990 and 2019.
Under the guidance of experienced coach Vladimir Petković, Algeria hopes to shine at AFCON 2025 and bounce back from disappointing campaigns in 2021 and 2023.
Qualification
Algeria qualified for the final stage of AFCON 2025 unbeaten. The team finished top of Group E, ahead of Togo, Equatorial Guinea, and Liberia, with five wins and one draw.
Coach: Vladimir Petković
61-year-old Vladimir Petković is making his debut at the Africa Cup of Nations. He is best known as the former head coach of Switzerland, having led them at both the Euros and the World Cup. He also managed prominent clubs such as Lazio Roma, Sion, and Bordeaux.
Since his appointment in March 2024, Petković has made a strong impression with Algeria. Expectations are high for his first continental tournament at the helm of the Desert Foxes.
Key Players
Riyad Mahrez: The captain remains the heartbeat of the team. His experience and technical skills make him a vital part of Petković’s plans.
Mohammed Amine Amoura: The Wolfsburg forward stands out for his pace and dribbling skills, posing a constant threat to any defense.
Previous AFCON performances
With twenty appearances between 1968 and 2025, Algeria ranks among Africa’s most established football nations. The highlights remain their titles in 1990 (as hosts) and 2019 (in Egypt). Algeria also reached the final in 1980, losing to Nigeria in Lagos.
Did you know?
Algeria is one of the few African nations to have won the Africa Cup of Nations twice under the leadership of a local coach: in 1990 with the late Abdelhamid Kermali, and in 2019 with Djamel Belmadi, who stepped down as head coach in January 2024.
Burkina Faso
Profiel
- Nickname: The Stallions
- Appearances: 13x
- Last appearance: 2023
- Titles: 0
- FIFA Ranking: 64
Burkina Faso heads to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco as an established force in African football. The Stallions, as the team is affectionately known, are still in pursuit of their first continental title and are determined to make it happen this time around.
Qualification
Burkina Faso qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by finishing second in Group L of the qualifiers, behind Senegal and ahead of Burundi and Malawi. With 10 points from three wins, one draw, and two losses, they scored 10 goals but conceded seven. The team’s fighting spirit and mental resilience once again stood out.
Coach: Brama Traoré
Brama Traoré took over the national team in March 2023 following a disappointing round-of-16 exit at the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire. The former international, who earned 29 caps, brought with him extensive experience from Burkina Faso’s youth teams. Under his leadership, the U20 squad won silver at the Jeux de la Francophonie.
Traoré knows many of his players inside and out and switches smartly between formations like 4-1-4-1, 4-3-3, and 4-2-3-1. That tactical flexibility proved crucial during qualifying. Now, he has the chance to solidify his legacy and bring his nation closer to the title.
Key Player: Edmond Tapsoba
The rock at the heart of the defense is Edmond Tapsoba, central defender for Bayer Leverkusen. He had an outstanding season in the Bundesliga and is regarded as one of Africa’s top defenders.
With 41 caps and experience from two previous AFCON tournaments, the 26-year-old provides not only defensive solidity but also a threat during set pieces—he scored three times for his club last season. Tapsoba is indispensable to the Stallions’ ambitions.
Previous AFCON performances
- 1978: Group Stage
- 1996: Group Stage
- 1998: Fourth Place
- 2013: Runners-up
- 2017: Fourth Place
- 2021: Fourth Place
Did you know?
Burkina Faso reached the semi-finals in three of their last five appearances. It’s a testament to their consistent presence at the highest level.
Equatorial Guinea
Profile
- Nickname: Nzalang Nacional
- Appearances: 4x
- Last appearance: 2023
- Titles: 0
- FIFA Ranking: 92
Equatorial Guinea is no stranger to defying expectations on the continental stage. With a history filled with surprising performances and courageous displays against Africa’s football powerhouses, this team heads into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with their trademark determination.
Qualification
Equatorial Guinea secured their spot at AFCON 2025 by finishing second in Group E, behind Algeria. With a record of two wins, two draws, and two losses, the Nzalang Nacional demonstrated resilience and determination, earning a place among Africa’s elite teams.
Coach: Juan Micha
Juan Micha is the mastermind behind modern-day Equatorial Guinea. His approach is built on trust, team cohesion, and tactical flexibility. Micha is known for his pragmatic strategies and his ability to get the best out of his squad.
Under his leadership, the team plays a balanced style: a well-organized defense is combined with quick transitions and creative attacking play. Micha’s vision has turned Nzalang Nacional into a tough opponent for any top African side.
Key Player: Ibán Salvador
Ibán Salvador has long been the heartbeat of Equatorial Guinea’s attack. With his versatility, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the national team, he has become an icon.
Whether deployed as an attacking midfielder or a central striker, Salvador is always involved in the game. He excels at linking up play, creating chances, and lifting his team during crucial moments.
Previous AFCON performances
- 2012: First appearance as co-host, reached the quarter-finals.
- 2015: Reached the semi-finals as host, finished fourth after losses to Ghana and DR Congo.
- 2021: Again reached the quarter-finals.
- 2023: Topped their group with emphatic wins over Guinea-Bissau (4-2) and hosts Côte d’Ivoire (4-0), and a draw against Nigeria. Eliminated in the Round of 16 after a narrow 1-0 loss to Guinea.
Did you know?
Equatorial Guinea has always progressed beyond the group stage in every Africa Cup of Nations they’ve participated in. It’s a team that consistently exceeds expectations on the biggest stages.
Sudan
Profile
- Nickname: Falcons of Jediane
- Appearances: 10x
- Last appearance: 2021
- Titles: 1 (1970)
- FIFA Ranking: 114
Sudan, a nation steeped in football tradition and history, is making its long-awaited return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing the 2023 edition. Under the guidance of experienced head coach James Kwesi Appiah, the Falcons of Jediane hope to make a strong impression in Morocco.
Qualification
Sudan secured their place at Morocco 2025 through determination and grit. In a tense qualification campaign, they managed a win and a draw against Ghana, finishing second in their group behind Angola. This showed they are capable of competing against formidable opponents.
Coach: James Kwesi Appiah
Appiah, a former Ghanaian international and national team coach, is a familiar face on the African football scene. Known for his tactical acumen and ability to build resilient squads, he stated confidently, “Winning AFCON in 2025 is my goal.” His experience and leadership will be crucial to Sudan’s success in the tournament.
Key Players
Mohamed Abdelrahman: A true attacking leader, this forward played a pivotal role in the qualification campaign and is Sudan’s main weapon up front.
Mohamed Mustafa: The dependable goalkeeper exudes calm and has excellent reflexes. He is the cornerstone of Sudan’s defense.
Previous AFCON performances
Sudan’s greatest moment came in 1970, when they won the tournament on home soil. Since then, they’ve remained part of the Africa Cup of Nations’ rich history. Qualifying for AFCON 2025 marks another step forward in their football journey.
Did you know?
Sudan currently tops their group in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, ahead of powerhouses like Senegal and DR Congo. It’s a clear sign of their steady rise under Appiah’s leadership.