The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is just around the corner, kicking off on December 21, 2025, in Morocco. As the continent’s premier football competition draws near, the excitement is palpable, with some of Africa’s best players preparing to battle it out for the prestigious title. This year’s tournament promises to showcase rising stars, experienced campaigners, and memorable moments from the beautiful game.
Defending champions Ivory Coast are looking to defend their crown, having claimed their third AFCON title in 2023. Morocco, the hosts, are eager to capture their first-ever title since 1976. Meanwhile, Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, is eyeing its first victory since 2010, while other nations, such as Senegal, Algeria, and Nigeria, aim to stake their claim for continental supremacy.
As the AFCON competition draws nearer, the national teams have finalized their squads. Each participating country has selected up to 28 players to represent them in Morocco, and with the final deadline for naming squads passing on December 11, the anticipation is building. Let’s take a detailed look at the squads for some of the key teams participating in the tournament.
Algeria
Goalkeepers: Oussama Benbot (USM Alger), Luca Zidane (Granada), Anthony Mandrea (Caen)
Defenders: Rafik Belghali (Hellas Verona), Rayan Ait-Nouri (Manchester City), Youcef Atal (Al-Sadd), Mehdi Dorval (Bari), Jaouen Hadjam (Young Boys), Zineddine Belaid (JS Kabylie), Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund), Samir Chergui (Paris FC), Aissa Mandi (Lille), Mohamed Amine Tougai (Esperance)
Midfielders: Ismael Bennacer (Dinamo Zagreb), Ramiz Zerrouki (FC Twente), Adem Zorgane (Union Saint-Gilloise), Hicham Boudaoui (Nice), Houssem Aouar (Al-Ittihad), Fares Chaibi (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg), Ilan Kebbal (Paris FC), Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli), Anis Hadj Moussa (Feyenoord), Adil Boulbina (Al-Duhail), Monsef Bakrar (Dinamo Zagreb), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al-Shamal), Redouane Berkane (Al-Wakrah)
Algeria enters the tournament as one of the favorites, with experienced players like Riyad Mahrez and Ismael Bennacer leading the way. However, rising star Mohamed Amoura, who has been in sensational form for Wolfsburg, will be crucial for the North Africans’ title hopes.
Angola
Goalkeepers: Neblu (Primero Agosto), Hugo Marques (Petro de Luanda), Dominique (Etoile Carouge)
Defenders: Rui Modesto (Udinese), Eddie Afonso (Petro de Luanda), To Carneiro (AS FAR), Nurio Fortuna (Volos FC), Pedro Bondo (Famalicao), David Carmo (Real Oviedo), Buatu (Gil Vicente), Gaspar (Lecce), Clinton Mata (Lyon)
Midfielders: Beni Mukendi (Victoria SC), Show (Kocaelispor), Fredy (Bodrumspor), Maestro (Alanyaspor), Manuel Keliano (Akhmat Grozny), Mario Balburdia (Boluspor)
Forwards: Zito Luvumbo (Cagliari), Manuel Benson (Swansea City), Milson (Crvena Zvezda), Chico Banza (Zamalek), Gelson Dala (Al Wakrah), Randy Nteka (Rayo Vallecano), Ary Papel (Al Akhdar), Mabululu (Al Ahli Tripoli), Mbala Nzola (Pisa), Zine (AEK Athens)
Angola will be looking to make a statement in their first appearance at the competition in recent years. With a mix of talented players and strong team chemistry, including promising talents like Zito Luvumbo, they are a team to watch.
Benin
Goalkeepers: Marcel Dandjinou (Kruger United), Saturnin Allagbe (FC Chauray), Serge Obassa (Remo Stars)
Defenders: Attidjikou Samadou (Smouha), Charlemagne Azongnitode (AC Oulo), Rodrigue Fassinou (Coton Sport), David Kiki (FCSB), Abdoul Rachid Moumini (Sumgayit), Tamimou Ouorou (Unattached), Yohan Roche (Petrolul Ploiesti), Mohamed Tijani (Yverson Dport), Olivier Verdon (Ludogorets Razgrad)
Midfielders: Matteo Ahlinvi (Arsenal Tula), Mariano Ahouangbo (NK Olimpija), Gislain Ahoudo (AS Gabes), Sessi D’Almeida (Neftchi), Dodo Dokou (Leixoes), Hassane Imourane (Grasshoppers), Rodrigue Kossi (Hassania)
Forwards: Adam Akimey (Helsingborgs), Rodolfo Aloko (NK Kustosija), Romaric Amoussou (ASEC Mimosas), Jodel Dossou (Pays du Valois), Steve Mounie (Alanyaspor), Junior Olaitan (Goztepe), Razack Rachidou (NK Kustosija), Olatoundji Tessilimi (SJK Seinajoki), Aiyegun Tosin (Lorient)
Benin enters the competition with a mixture of established players and emerging talents. The team will be hoping to build on the momentum gained from their strong performances in recent qualifiers.
Botswana
Goalkeepers: Kabelo Dambe (Township Rollers), Keeagile Kgosipula (Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Goitseone Phoko (Jwaneng Galaxy)
Defenders: Mosha Gaolaolwe (Township Rollers), Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (Al-Ittihad), Tebogo Kopelang (Jwaneng Galaxy), Alford Velaphi (Gaborone United), Mothusi Johnson (Gaborone United), Chicco Molefe (Jwaneng Galaxy), Thabo Leinanyane (Jwaneng Galaxy), Shanganani Ngada (Mochudi Centre Chiefs)
Midfielders: Godiraone Modingwane (BDF XI), Gape Mohutsiwa (MC Oran), Mothusi Cooper (Township Rollers), Lebogang Ditsele (Gaborone United), Monty Enosa (Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Olebogeng Ramotse (Jwaneng Galaxy), Gilbert Baruti (Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Thabo Maponda (Gaborone United)
Forwards: Omaatla Kebatho (Jwaneng Galaxy), Kabelo Seakanyeng (MAS Fes), Thabang Sesinyi (Jwaneng Galaxy), Tumisang Orebonye (Wydad Casablanca), Segolame Boy (Sua Flamingoes), Losika Ratshukudu (Ubuntu FC), Thatayaone Kgamanyane (Gaborone United)
Botswana’s squad includes a blend of experienced players and new faces, with a focus on teamwork. With a challenging group ahead, their goal will be to push for a spot in the knockout stages.
Burkina Faso
Goalkeepers: Herve Koffi (Angers), Kilian Nikiema (ADO Den Haag), Farid Ouedraogo (Al Hilal)
Defenders: Nasser Djiga (Rangers), Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen), Issoufou Dayo (Umm Salal), Adamo Nagalo (PSV Eindhoven), Steeve Yago (Aris Limassol), Issa Kabore (Wrexham), Arsene Kouassi (Lorient), Abdoul Rachid Ayinde (Gent)
Midfielders: Blati Toure (Pyramids), Cedric Badolo (Spartak Trnava), Saidou Simpore (National Bank), Mohamed Zougrana (MC Alger), Gustavo Sangare (Noah), Stephane Aziz Ki (Wydad Casablanca), Ismahila Ouedraogo (OB Odense)
Forwards: Bertrand Traore (Sunderland), Dango Ouattara (Brentford), Ousseni Bouda (San Jose Earthquakes), Pierre Landry Kabore (Hearts), Georgi Minoungou (Seattle Sounders), Cyriaque Irie (Freiburg), Lassina Traore (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Burkina Faso has a well-rounded squad with strong leadership and a competitive group of players. Their attacking players, such as Bertrand Traore and Dango Ouattara, will be key to their progress in AFCON 2025.
Cameroon
Goalkeepers: Devis Epassy (Dinamo Bucharest), Simon Omossola (St Eloi Lupopo), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Montpellier), Edouard Sombang (Colombe Du Dja)
Defenders: Samuel Kotto (Gent), Gerzino Nyamsi (Lokomotiv Moscow), Jean-Charles Castelletto (Al Duhail), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders), Flavien Enzo Boyomo (Osasuna), Mahamadou Nagida (Rennes), Christopher Wooh (Spartak Moscow), Junior Tchamadeu (Stoke City), Darlin Yongwa (Lorient)
Midfielders: Martin Ndzie (Rapid Vienna), Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion), Arthur Avom (Lorient), Eric-Junior Dina Ebimbe (Brest), Brice Ambina (Valerenga), Jean Junior Onana (Genoa), Olivier Kemen (Istanbul Basaksehir)
Forwards: Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United), Christian Bassogog (Al Okhdood), Georges-Kevin N’koudou (Al Diriyah), Danny Namaso (Auxerre), Frank Magri (Toulouse), Karl Etta Eyong (Levante), Christian Kofane (Bayer Leverkusen), Patrick Soko (Almeria)
Cameroon’s squad is packed with talent across the pitch, from the solid defense to a potent attack led by Bryan Mbeumo and Frank Magri. As one of the most successful nations in AFCON history, Cameroon will be looking to add another title to their collection.
Comoros
Goalkeepers: Yannick Pandor (Royal Francs Borains), Salim Ben Boina (Istres), Adel Anzimati (Ararat Yerevan)
Defenders: Kassim M’Dahoma (Aubagne Air Bel), Ahmed Soilihi (Sc Toulon), Idris Mohamed (Le Puy Foot 43), Kenan Toibibou (NK Bravo), Akim Abdallah (Guingamp), Ismael Boura (Troyes), Yannis Kari (Frejus Saint-Raphael), Said Bakary (Sparta Rotterdam)
Midfielders: Yacine Bourhane (Aris Limassol), Iyad Mohamed (Casa Pia), Raouf Mroivili (FC Villefranche), Youssouf M’Changama (Al-Batin), Rayan Lutin (Amiens), Benjaloud Youssouf (Sochaux), Rémy Vita (Tondela), Zaydou Youssouf (Al-Fateh)
Forwards: Rafiki Said (Standard Liege), Zaid Amir (Istres), Faiz Selemani (Qatar SC), El Fardou Ben Nabouhane (FK Zemun), Myziane Maolida (Al-Kholood), Ahmed Aymeric (Chateauroux), Aboubacar Ali (Royal Francs Borains)
Comoros has made impressive strides in African football and will be hoping to upset the odds at AFCON 2025 with a squad that blends youth and experience.
AFCON 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with teams like Algeria, Cameroon, Senegal, and Morocco bringing their top talent to Morocco. With the tournament set to kick off on December 21, all eyes will be on the 24 teams vying for supremacy. Whether it’s established stars or rising talent, the competition promises to deliver memorable moments.
As the tournament progresses, expect to see thrilling performances from players like Mohamed Amoura, Azzedine Ounahi, Victor Osimhen, and others who are set to define the future of African football.
