The 2025 AFCON has reached a stage where no one is the favourite. All four teams in the semi-finals fancy their chances because they have been the best among the 24 that competed.
Nigeria have finished on top of the power rankings after the group stage and the round of 16 and will sit on top once again heading into the semi-finals.
These power rankings are based solely on the performances of the teams in the quarter-final games.
Quarter-finals results
Senegal 1-0 Mali
Morocco 2-0 Cameroon
Nigeria 2-0 Algeria
Egypt 3-2 Cote d’Ivoire
1. Nigeria
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are having the best time of their lives in Morocco after winning five consecutive games. Nigeria looked vulnerable at the back in the group stage, but it looks like Eric Chelle has solved the issues.
Nigeria sits on top of my power rankings for the third time after being adjudged the best team in the group stage. I also adjudged Nigeria the best team after the round 16 stage, where they smashed Mozambique into pieces.
Algeria had won four consecutive games when they were facing Nigeria and had conceded only one goal, making them a solid opponent. Nigeria made them look so ordinary to the extent that they had no shot on target in the 90 minutes, shockingly.
Algeria’s attack, made up of the veteran Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Amoura, and youngsters, Ibrahim Maza and Fares Chaibi have posed much danger to their opponents but failed to make any impact when they faced the Super Eagles.
Osimhen’s opener with just two minutes into the second half gave Nigeria a deserved lead. Akor Adams doubled Nigeria’s lead ten minutes later after Iwobi’s delightful pass had been controlled impeccably by Osimhen, who unselfishly laid it for the giant striker, Adams, who did the needful.
Nigeria have bossed every opponent, and that makes them a very dangerous side. They face Morocco in the semi-finals, and it will be a cagey affair. The Super Eagles have performed slightly better than the other teams.
2. Egypt
The Pharaohs are thriving in Morocco. The camaraderie and commitment among the players have been the main reasons Hossam Hassan’s charges are flourishing.
“This has been my favourite camp ever. The players are all close, and the comedy is non-stop. We’re fighting for each other to win the title,” Mohamed Salah said in the post-match conference after the marvellous 3-2 win over the Ivory Coast.
“I also praise the organisation here in Morocco. Everything is of the highest level, security included,” he continued.
Egypt eliminated the defending champions in a 3-2 thriller, with Marmoush and Salah scoring fine goals.
The duo have been deadly right from the group stages, but the three-man midfield partnership of Hossam Abdelmaguid, Hamdi Fathy and Marwan Attia was so solid that they covered every part of the pitch.
Al Ahly’s Emam Ashour served as the playmaker behind Salah and Marmoush. The box-to-box midfielder assisted Marmoush with a delightful through pass for Egypt’s first goal.
The energetic midfielder has been one of Egypt’s highly performing players with scintillating passes and runs.
The Pharaohs’ victory over the Ivory Coast was full of directness. Egypt will occupy the second slot after winning the fight against the dangerous defending champions Ivory Coast.
3. Morocco
The host nation occupies third position in the latest power rankings of the 2025 AFCON heading into the semi-finals.
Morocco were marvellous in the 2-0 win over Cameroon. They were so perfect on the day after suffocating Cameroon from the beginning to the end of the game.
Walid Regragui and the entire Morocco team are optimistic of ending their 50-year wait for the coveted AFCON trophy.
They last won it in 1976 in Ethiopia and have not reached the semi-finals since 2004 in Tunisia.
Morocco have arguably the best player so far in the tournament – Real Madrid’s forward Brahim Diaz has scored five goals in the five games he has played.
The weight is very heavy, and they have to fight hard to make history. Morocco were the favourites in the eyes of so many fans before the commencement of the tournament, but as the tournament progresses, their favourites tag wanes.
They are now ranked third because Nigeria and Egypt’s victories were slightly fantastic ahead of theirs in the round of 16.
4. Senegal
The Lions of Teranga sit 4th on the list after a narrow 1-0 win over 10-man Mali.
Senegal occupy the final slot after the less convincing performance against Mali, even though Djigu Diarra in the second half prevented seven shots to keep the Malians in the game.
Senegal’s attack in the last two games have not played at the level expected, with Nicho Jackson and Ismaila Sarr making way for Habib Diallo and Iliman Ndiaye, who scored the winner against Mali to start.
Senegal’s strength in depth was exhibited in the round of 16 victory, with four changes made. In the five games played so far, the team has lacked consistency in performances due to the different styles they have faced, but have been on top against every opponent.
Pape Bounar Thiaw’s side will face Egypt, which will be a repeat of the 2021 finals, where the then-Liverpool imperious duo Mane and Salah at their peaks clashed.
The two superstars are set to clash again as their meetings have favoured Mane, who won the AFCON and also won the play-off against the Pharaohs in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Senegal remains dangerous, and Egypt must repeat the performance against the Ivory Coast to stand any chance of beating the Lions of Teranga.
Semi-Finals Fixtures
1. Senegal v Egypt
Date: Wednesday 14 January, 2025
Time: 4 pm
Venue: Stade Ibn Batouta (Tanger)
2. Nigeria v Morocco
Date: Wednesday 14th January, 2025
Time: 8 pm
Venue: Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah (Rabat)
