Veteran Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach Claude Le Roy has delivered a bold prediction for the 2025 tournament, declaring defending champions Senegal as the second-strongest contender, placing them emphatically ahead of three-time champions Nigeria.
Le Roy, a seasoned tactician whose decorated career includes managing national sides like Cameroon, Ghana, and Senegal, and famously leading the Indomitable Lions to victory over the Super Eagles in the 1988 AFCON final, tipped the Lions of Teranga to outperform the Nigerian squad.
The Pecking Order: Morocco at the Top
According to the French coach, who shared his analysis on Canal+, only World Cup semi-finalists Morocco stand above the current Senegalese generation.
“Senegal play well. You only have to look at the stats and before Nigeria, they are the second big favourite behind Morocco for me in this Africa Cup of Nations,” Le Roy stated, citing a blend of experience and youthful dynamism as the key factors driving his high expectations.
Senegal’s Formidable Squad
Le Roy views the current Senegalese roster as a more formidable force than the Nigerian national team. The squad is anticipated to feature a powerful mix of established European stars and promising emerging talents. Key veterans like former Premier League stalwarts Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Édouard Mendy are expected to anchor the team alongside rising talents such as Pape Matar Sarr, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Mamadou Sarr.
The Lions of Teranga are set to begin their quest for back-to-back continental glory in Tangier, where they will navigate a group stage that includes an opening fixture against Botswana, a tactical encounter with the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a highly-anticipated match against Benin, who are managed by former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr.
