AFCON 2025 Power Rankings: Where Does Bafana Bafana Stand Among the 24 Teams?

Bafana Bafana are preparing for a return to the Africa Cup of Nations with the 2025 edition slated between December 21 and January 18 in Morocco.

South Africa are making their 12^th appearance at the continental tournament and have witnessed a massive improvement since their last show in 2023.

Heading to the 2025 tournament, the 1996 AFCON winners are among the dark horses to win the trophy after their run to third place in 2023 and results after, having effortlessly qualified for this year’s edition, as well the 2026 World Cup, staying unbeaten all this period.

So, ahead of AFCON 2025, where does Bafana Bafana rank among the 24 teams?

24. Botswana

Botswana qualified for their second AFCON since their debut in 2012 but few are giving them a chance of making it out of a Group D that has Senegal, DR Congo and Benin.

23. Mozambique

Mozambique, returning after group stage exit in 2023, just like 1986, 1996, 1998 and 2010, are the minnows in a Group F that has Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Gabon.

22. Tanzania

The Taifa Stars sealed back-to-back AFCON qualifications after 2023 when they exited at the group stage, just like in 1980 and 2019, and even though they have an improved squad, they stand little chance of going past Group C that has Nigeria, Tunisia and Uganda.

21. Sudan

Despite the war in their country, the 1970 champions still qualified for their 10th AFCON, at the expense of Ghana, and return since 2021, seeking at least the Round of 16, like four years ago, from a Group C that has Burkina Faso, Algeria and Equatorial Guinea.

20. Comoros

Making just their second appearance, Comoros had a memorable debut in 2021, reaching the Round of 16, and will be looking for the same from a tricky Group A that has hosts Morocco, Mali and Zambia.

19. Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe are returning since 2021 for their sixth AFCON and after a group stage exit in the five previous spells, players like Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa should guide them past the group, although they have Egypt, South Africa and Angola for company.

18. Benin

The Squirrels had a disappointing end to their World Cup qualifiers but their decent run should give them confidence of making the knockout round as they return since 2019, when they reached the last eight.

17. Zambia

The 2012 champions are under a new coach and after their struggles at CHAN 2024 and group stage exit in 2023, the best result will be making it to the knockout round.

16. Uganda

Returning since 2019, the 1978 runners-up had a decent World Cup qualification run which should give them confidence of reaching the last eight.

15. Equatorial Guinea

Fourth place in 2015, Equatorial Guinea reached the quarters in 2023 and should make it past the group stages.

14. Angola

Angola, quarter-finalists in 2008, 2010, 2023, have a good mix of local and foreign-based players that should reach at least the quarter-finals.

13. Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso, runners-up in 2013, have always been there and also have great squad full of European-based players that should reach the last eight.

12. Mali

Mali, 1972 runners-ups, remain one of the teams to watch as they possess a good blend of young and experienced European-based players that should reach at least the quarter-finals.

11. Gabon

The Panthers are among the teams that should surprise given their good run in World Cup qualifiers and their star-studded team could even make the semi-finals.

10. DR Congo

Two-time champions (1968 and 1974) DR Congo reached the semis and lost to South Africa in the 2023 third place play-offs and are out to make amends in 2025.

9. Tunisia

Tunisia’s flawless World Cup qualification phase, when they did not concede a goal, is something worth taking note of as they bid to win the title they last claimed in 2004.

This will be Tunisia’s 22nd edition but they have not gone past the quarter-final since their victory 21 years ago and exited at the group stage in 2023 although their run to the 2026 World Cup suggests a big change in fortunes.

8. South Africa

Bafana Bafana sealed back-to-back AFCON qualifications and come into this year’s tournament after third place in 2023.

What makes South Africa one of the dark horses is the fact that they have improved massively since that tournament in Ivory Coast, staying unbeaten since early 2024, and qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2002.

With a squad of locally-based players who know each other so well and play without fear, Hugo Broos’ team is one of the teams to watch out for and you have to look at the teams they beat in 2023 to take notice.

Bafana Bafana eliminated Morocco at the Round of 16 and drew with Tunisia, Nigeria and DR Congo on their way to third place, with their semi-final loss to the Super Eagles, only happening on penalties.

7. Cameroon

Cameroon are the second most successful team at AFCON with five titles won in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 and 2017 but their recent run has not inspired confidence.

Since their 2017 win, they managed third place at their home edition in 2021 but a Round of 16 exit in 2023 and their recent failure to seal a direct World Cup ticket has dropped them further from AFCON favourites but they remain a force.

6. Nigeria

The Super Eagles should be higher on the list but their recent struggles in the World Cup qualifiers has seen them drop down although that is not to say they lack the quality to win AFCON 2025.

Nigeria are the fifth-ranked African nation and have won AFCON three times in 1980, 1994 and 2013. Their run to the 2023 final should be good encouragement to go one better this time.

5. Algeria

Two-time champions Algeria (1990 and 2019 winners) come to the 2025 edition with something to prove after a shock group stage exit in 2023.

The Desert Foxes easily qualified for AFCON 2025 and 2026 World Cup and come into the tournament as the fourth-ranked African nation on the FIFA rankings.

Algeria have a squad full of European-based stars, most of the born abroad, and should be a handful for rivals.

4. Egypt

Record AFCON champions Egypt have endured heartbreaks in recent editions but remain contenders yet again.

The Pharaohs, seven-time African champions, last tasted glory in 2010, a third straight win, and have suffered final losses in 2017 and 2021.

Ranked third in Africa, Egypt, who also qualified for the 2026 World Cup, come with renewed energy to a record 27^th AFCON, added to a quality squad that has a good blend of local and European-based stars.

3. Senegal

Senegal have maintained high standards since losing the AFCON 2019 final before going on to claim the 2021 edition while they have made it to a third straight World Cup.

Another team loaded with star players, the Teranga Lions, ranked 18th in the world and second in Africa, head to AFCON 2025 as one of the favourites and will want to get it right after a surprise Round of 16 exit in 2023.

2. Ivory Coast

The Elephants are one of the favourites to win the trophy and as the defending champions, they would want to retain their title, added to the fact that they possess a squad full of European-based stars.

This is the 26th AFCON appearance for the three-time AFCON winners (1992, 2015 and 2023) who also qualified for the 2016 World Cup and given their experience and quality, few will want to face them.

1.  Morocco

While they have won AFCON only once, way back in 1976, Morocco are considered favourites to win the 2025 edition for a number of reasons.

The Atlas Lions will enjoy partisan support since they will be hosting the tournament, which adds to their pressure, while they head into AFCON 2025 as the top-ranked African nation.

Morocco also possess one of the best squads and come into AFCON 2025 after making history by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, a first for an African country.