Supercomputer predicts Africa Cup of Nations 2025 winner as Premier League stars jet out
Morocco have been predicted to win the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations on home turf with many Premier League stars set to battle for their continent’s crown over the next month.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is close to beginning, with 24 countries all vying to be crowned as the best on their continent.
Most Premier League clubs will be affected by AFCON as the tournament takes place mid-season between 21 December and 18 January 2026, with players jetting off to the host country of Morocco this week.
Sunderland will be the worst off, as they are set to lose six players to the competition amid controversy around Habib Diarra’s Senegal call-up in particular.
Fans of all Premier League teams will be keeping a close eye on the tournament as some players go further than others, and the Opta supercomputer has predicted Morocco to reign supreme in their own country next month.
Morocco predicted to win AFCON with Egypt and Senegal as their closest competition
Ivory Coast are the defending champions after former West Ham striker Sebastien Haller scored a late winner against Nigeria in the 2023 final, but Opta states that they only have a 6.7 per cent chance of winning a successive title.
Morocco, who boast the likes of Man United defender Noussair Mazraoui and Sunderland’s Chemsdine Talbi in their squad, are the supercomputer’s clear favourites, with a 19.1 per cent chance of winning the tournament in their home country.
Mohamed Salah has made up with Arne Slot ahead of the competition, and his Egypt side are second favourite, according to the predictions, with a 12.4 per cent chance of glory.
Senegal come in very close behind at 12.3 per cent, while Algeria are not far behind that, with Opta giving them a 12 per cent chance of becoming the champions of Africa.
Some Premier League stars will be hugely missed by their respective teams
A number of Premier League teams are losing some of their key attacking talent as they jet off to Morocco, not least Man United, who will be without Amad and Bryan Mbeumo as they represent Ivory Coast and Cameroon respectively.
Everton will sorely miss Iliman Ndiaye, who has four goals and two assists this season, while his Senegal teammate Idrissa Gueye is also a consistent starter under David Moyes.
It is tough to predict how Salah’s absence will affect Liverpool after his recent tough patch of form, and the same goes for Man City with Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri, as neither player has particularly impressed this season.
Fulham are set to be without two regular starters in Nigerian pair Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, yet, as aforementioned, Sunderland are easily the biggest losers as six of their influential first-team stars head to the tournament.