{"id":462648,"date":"2025-12-09T16:27:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T15:27:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.completesports.com\/?p=462648"},"modified":"2025-12-09T16:27:28","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T15:27:28","slug":"nations-to-watch-at-afcon-2025-which-underdogs-could-shock-the-continent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.completesports.com\/nations-to-watch-at-afcon-2025-which-underdogs-could-shock-the-continent\/","title":{"rendered":"Nations To Watch At AFCON 2025: Which Underdogs Could Shock The Continent?","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Comoros head to Morocco for their second AFCON appearance<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this December, and Morocco gets to host what already feels like an unmissable tournament. From the moment the dates dropped, fans across Africa started buzzing. Will the usual big names run the show again, or are we in for another wild AFCON ride full of upsets and new heroes?<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_79_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.completesports.com\/nations-to-watch-at-afcon-2025-which-underdogs-could-shock-the-continent\/#Comoros_%E2%80%93_The_island_nation_still_full_of_surprises\" >Comoros &#8211; The island nation still full of surprises<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.completesports.com\/nations-to-watch-at-afcon-2025-which-underdogs-could-shock-the-continent\/#Botswana_%E2%80%93_A_quiet_steady_riser\" >Botswana &#8211; A quiet, steady riser<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.completesports.com\/nations-to-watch-at-afcon-2025-which-underdogs-could-shock-the-continent\/#Zimbabwe_and_Mozambique_%E2%80%93_Southern_Africas_dark_horses\" >Zimbabwe and Mozambique &#8211; Southern Africa&#8217;s dark horses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.completesports.com\/nations-to-watch-at-afcon-2025-which-underdogs-could-shock-the-continent\/#Benin_and_Equatorial_Guinea_are_expert_party_spoilers\" >Benin and Equatorial Guinea are expert party spoilers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.completesports.com\/nations-to-watch-at-afcon-2025-which-underdogs-could-shock-the-continent\/#Why_the_giants_should_still_be_worried\" >Why the giants should still be worried<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.completesports.com\/nations-to-watch-at-afcon-2025-which-underdogs-could-shock-the-continent\/#Could_a_%E2%80%9Cdebutant-like%E2%80%9D_shock_still_happen\" >Could a &#8220;debutant-like&#8221; shock still happen?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.completesports.com\/nations-to-watch-at-afcon-2025-which-underdogs-could-shock-the-continent\/#Final_verdict\" >Final verdict<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Even though there aren\u2019t any real debutants at AFCON 2025, and yes, all 24 nations competing have been to an AFCON before, that doesn\u2019t kill the chats around potential surprise packages. The unexpected semi-finalists at AFCON have written a fascinating history. The tournament has seen some giant killers as well. Moreover, different nations have often burst onto the scenes from effectively nowhere to become global headlines.\u00a0 A variety of lesser-known teams are entering the tournament this year with momentum, and a new generation of players ready to shine.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Comoros_%E2%80%93_The_island_nation_still_full_of_surprises\"><\/span><strong>Comoros &#8211; The island nation still full of surprises<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Comoros have enjoyed a fairytale rise since their shock FCON appearance a couple of years ago. They have been praised for their tactical discipline, compact defending and fearless stature against bigger nations.<\/p>\n<p>Comoros may be the underdog once again but that\u2019s exactly where their strength lies. They can take control of possession-heavy teams, and they tend to be most effective when the pressure is on the opponent. With maturity of players and few players already competing abroad, they could capitalize on any complacency in their group and sneak into the knockout rounds.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Botswana_%E2%80%93_A_quiet_steady_riser\"><\/span><strong>Botswana &#8211; A quiet, steady riser<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For a long time, Botswana has been regarded as a peripheral football nation. However, better coaching structures and increased exposure of their players in foreign leagues have gradually improved their game. The team showed tactical maturity, defensive solidity and hunger from the young players during their qualification run.<\/p>\n<p>Botswana might not be regarded as a danger by the conventional giants, but that precisely what makes them dangerous. Football teams can cause trouble even for technically gifted side with their athleticism. If they can manage their group games and convert the big chances they get, something huge could occur at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportytrader.com\/en\/betting-tips\/football\/africa\/afcon-507\/\">African Cup of Nations 2025<\/a> edition.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Zimbabwe_and_Mozambique_%E2%80%93_Southern_Africas_dark_horses\"><\/span><strong>Zimbabwe and Mozambique &#8211; Southern Africa&#8217;s dark horses<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Over the years, teams from Southern Africa have been known to cause some surprising runs in the history of AFCON and Zimbabwe and Mozambique are credible dark horses this year.<\/p>\n<p>Zimbabwe can field experienced pros from clubs all over Africa and Asia. They\u2019re tough, strong in the air, and love to pounce on set pieces and counters.<\/p>\n<p>Mozambique? They can be a handful too, physical, unpredictable, and sometimes they flip a match on its head with a burst of attacking brilliance.<\/p>\n<p>For both teams, entering the AFCON with low expectations might be a blessing in disguise. Possession-based teams find their football painful to play against and ideal in knockout football.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.completesports.com\/nwabali-doubtful-for-afcon-2025-with-injury\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nwabali Doubtful For AFCON 2025 With Injury<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Benin_and_Equatorial_Guinea_are_expert_party_spoilers\"><\/span><strong>Benin and Equatorial Guinea are expert party spoilers<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If there is an AFCON party-spoiler then Benin and Equatorial Guinea certainly fit the bill.<\/p>\n<p>Benin&#8217;s tactical Plan B has proven effective against similar teams but might not work vs all teams.<\/p>\n<p>Equatorial Guinea have been known to forge their way to the latter stages of the AFCON with grit and extreme tactical discipline.<\/p>\n<p>These countries excel when the stakes are high and the situation is tense for their opponent. Those are precisely the kind of teams that knock out a heavyweight.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_the_giants_should_still_be_worried\"><\/span><strong>Why the giants should still be worried<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Teams such as Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Algeria are among the favorites to win the title but getting complacent at the AFCON has not worked well for teams down the years. Several factors play into the advantage of underdogs.<\/p>\n<p>Long club seasons leave players tired. The travel takes a toll. The schedule is tight; one bad game, and your tournament\u2019s done. Add in penalty shootouts, which always seem to favor the underdogs who defend for their lives, and you see why even the giants worry.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Could_a_%E2%80%9Cdebutant-like%E2%80%9D_shock_still_happen\"><\/span><strong>Could a &#8220;debutant-like&#8221; shock still happen?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, even without official debutants.<\/p>\n<p>The teams like Comoros, Botswana, Mozambique and Benin are not new to the tournament. They do occupy the same narrative space nonetheless. Namely, unfancied, underestimated and unburdened by any pressure. AFCON is a competition where momentum and belief are often greater than squad value or global ranking.<\/p>\n<p>The 2025 edition feels ripe for another surprise. With several rising teams raising their technical levels and tactical structures, the gap between the giants and the outsiders is closing.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_verdict\"><\/span><strong>Final verdict<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Although no first-time participant is there in AFCON 2025, the spirit of the debutant \u2013the unpredictable, fearless outsider \u2013is there. Botswana\u2019s rise, Comoros\u2019 flair, Zimbabwe\u2019s resilience and Equatorial Guinea\u2019s pedigree combine to give the competition a host of possible disruptors.<\/p>\n<p>According to the past events, any nation can surprise the event in the future. Who is it going to be this time?<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Comoros head to Morocco for their second AFCON appearance The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this December, and Morocco gets to host what already feels like an unmissable tournament. From the moment the dates dropped, fans across Africa started buzzing. Will the usual big names run the show again, or are we in for<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":2,"featured_media":462651,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_elementor_edit_mode":"","_elementor_template_type":"","_elementor_data":"","_elementor_page_settings":null},"categories":[14992],"tags":[3631,172089,4232,3723,134535,1462,899,4296],"class_list":{"0":"post-462648","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-features","8":"tag-afcon","9":"tag-afcon-2025","10":"tag-benin","11":"tag-botswana","12":"tag-comoros","13":"tag-equatorial-guinea","14":"tag-mozambique","15":"tag-zimbabwe"},"better_featured_image":{"id":462651,"alt_text":"AFCON","caption":"","description":"","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":591,"height":398,"file":"2025\/12\/AFCON-2025.png","filesize":673575,"sizes":{"bunyad-small":{"file":"AFCON-2025-150x101.png","width":150,"height":101,"mime-type":"image\/png","filesize":37171,"source_url":"https:\/\/www.completesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AFCON-2025-150x101.png"},"bunyad-medium":{"file":"AFCON-2025-450x303.png","width":450,"height":303,"mime-type":"image\/png","filesize":276832,"source_url":"https:\/\/www.completesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AFCON-2025-450x303.png"}},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]}},"post":462648,"source_url":"https:\/\/www.completesports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AFCON-2025.png"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.6 (Yoast SEO v26.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Nations To Watch At AFCON 2025: Which Underdogs Could Shock The Continent? 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