Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has picked Bafana Bafana group rivals Egypt as his favourites to win the 2025 Africa Cup Nations.
Saintfiet, will be hoping to guide the nation through a competitive Group A, where they will take on Comoros, Morocco, and Zambia in their quest to reach the knockout rounds.
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"There is still a long way to go before the start of the African Cup of Nations. All the competitors are strong, and there are no easy matches," Saintfiet told Botolaat.
"But Mali fears no one, and we will prepare ourselves well. We must qualify from the group."
With the tournament set to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, Saintfiet believes that Egypt – led by Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah – will be a strong contender to reclaim the continental crown.
"The Egyptian national team is of course capable of winning the African Cup of Nations.
"Egypt now has Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, who are capable of making a difference, along with many other stars."
He added: "Egypt has exceptional players, so it is definitely one of the candidates to win the tournament."
Despite Egypt being widely regarded as one of the favourites, they will first have to navigate a tricky Group B, where they will face Bafana Bafana, Angola, and Zimbabwe in what promises to be a tightly contested battle for qualification.
The Belgian tactician also pointed out that the tournament's location could favour North African teams, saying: "The fact that the tournament will be held in another country in North Africa is an advantage for Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt."
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With some of the continent's biggest footballing nations set to battle it out, AFCON 2025 is shaping up to be another thrilling tournament, with Bafana Bafana aiming to make their mark against Africa's elite.