Salomon Kalou, Duelbits Brand Ambassador, brings his experience as a Champions League winner with Chelsea and Africa Cup of Nations champion with Ivory Coast to AFCON 2025. In this interview, he shares his perspective on the teams, players, and dark horses to watch, offering insights shaped by his career at the highest level of the game.
AFCON is the heartbeat of African football and a popular competition for soccer betting. For me, it’s not just a competition, it’s identity, it’s pride, it’s the moment when the whole continent comes together. I grew up dreaming of playing in it, and when I finally did, I realised how much it means to millions of people. Every match carries history, every goal feels bigger because it’s for your country.
Winning it with Ivory Coast in 2015 was the highlight of my career. And it meant even more because of the journey we had taken to get there. We had one of the most talented squads Africa has ever seen, Drogba, Yaya Touré, Gervinho, Kolo Touré, but talent alone doesn’t guarantee success. Twice before, in 2006 and 2012, we reached the final and lost. I can tell you, there is nothing harder than walking off the pitch after a final defeat, knowing how close you were and how much the nation believed in you. Those moments stay with you.
So, when we finally lifted the trophy in 2015, it wasn’t just about that night, it was about redemption, about proving that resilience matters as much as talent. To carry the hopes of a country through heartbreak and then deliver joy, that’s what makes AFCON unforgettable to me.
Ivory Coast are the reigning champions, and that status brings both confidence and expectation. Yan Diomande is electrifying and I can’t wait to see him playing, Franck Kessié brings power and leadership in midfield, and Wilfried Zaha adds flair. They showed in 2023 that resilience and unity can carry them through, and with that experience behind them, they’ll be aiming to defend their crown.
Nigeria look very strong this year. With Victor Osimhen leading the line, they have one of the most feared strikers in world football. Add in the pace and creativity of Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze, plus Wilfred Ndidi’s stability in midfield, and you see a team with balance and depth. Nigeria were runnersup last time, and with this mix of stars they’ll believe they can go all the way.
Morocco, as hosts, will carry the hopes of a nation. Achraf Hakimi’s recovery from injury will be crucial, his drive from the back changes games. Even without Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal, they still have Youssef EnNesyri and Sofyan Amrabat to provide strength and creativity. With the home crowd behind them, they’ll expect to be in the latter stages.
Senegal and Egypt also have to be mentioned. Senegal’s squad is full of quality, with Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly still leading the way, while Egypt remain dangerous thanks to Mohamed Salah’s ability to decide matches on his own. Both nations have the pedigree to reach the knockout rounds and cause problems for anyone they face.
For me, those are the teams most likely to be battling it out in the latter stages, but I do think Ivory Coast or Nigeria are the ones I’d put my money on.
Every AFCON has a team that nobody expects to go far, but they end up making headlines. For me, South Africa are one to watch. They’ve been building quietly and their domestic league produces a lot of talent that doesn’t always get the same attention as Europe. With their organisation and pace, they can frustrate bigger sides and sneak through the knockout rounds.
Burkina Faso are another. They’ve shown before that they can punch above their weight, reaching the final in 2013 and the semis in 2017. This time, they have a forward line that can hurt anyone: Dango Ouattara with his pace, Lassina Traoré and Bertrand Traoré’s creativity and finishing. At the back, Edmond Tapsoba is a leader who gives them stability and confidence. They may not have the depth of Nigeria or Ivory Coast, but they have unity, resilience, and enough quality in key positions to upset favourites.
AFCON always brings the big names to the stage, and this year is no different. Victor Osimhen is the headline act, his goalscoring record speaks for itself, and he has the mentality to carry Nigeria deep into the tournament. PierreEmerick Aubameyang may be in the later stages of his career, but his pace and finishing still make him a threat, especially in knockout football.
Mohamed Salah is a superstar who doesn’t need introduction, he has the ability to decide games on his own, and Egypt will lean on him heavily. Achraf Hakimi, if fully fit, is one of the best fullbacks in the world; his energy and drive from the back can change matches. And of course, Sadio Mané remains Senegal’s talisman. He’s proven time and again that he can deliver in the biggest moments. These are the players fans will expect to shine, and they have the pedigree to do it.
AFCON isn’t just about the stars everyone knows, it’s also about the players who announce themselves on the big stage. Seko Fofana is a powerhouse in midfield, and his ability to dominate games could be decisive for Ivory Coast. Yan Diomande is another Ivorian talent who brings energy and creativity, and this tournament could be his breakthrough.
Ayoub El Kaabi has been scoring freely in the Greek league, and AFCON is the perfect platform for him to show what he can do internationally. Dango Ouattara is a young winger with pace and directness, he’s looked great from Brentford in the EPL, and defenders won’t enjoy facing him. And Raphael Onyedika gives Nigeria extra steel in midfield; he’s still developing, but tournaments like this are where players grow into leaders.
These are the names I’ll be watching closely, because AFCON always produces new heroes.
When you talk about goals at AFCON, you have to mention Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané. Their international records speak for themselves, they’ve delivered consistently for Egypt and Senegal over many years, and they always rise to the big occasions.
But if I had to pick one name for this tournament, it’s Victor Osimhen. He’s in incredible form, and Nigeria’s group gives him the chance to start fast. Against Tanzania and Uganda, he could get a few goals early, and once a striker like Osimhen builds momentum, he’s very hard to stop. He has the hunger, the quality, and the mentality to finish as top scorer.
At the same time, I’d also an eye on Mohamed Amoura for Algeria. He’s less established, but he’s been scoring regularly in Europe and has the pace to trouble defences. He’s the kind of player who could surprise people, and, with the service of Riyad Mahrez, make a name for himself at this tournament.
AFCON atmospheres are always intense, but Morocco hosting makes this edition special. The last time they staged the tournament was back in 1988, that’s almost four decades ago. Since then, Morocco has come a long way, both as a football nation and as a country. You only have to look at their World Cup run in 2022 to see how far they’ve progressed, and now they have the infrastructure, the passion and the belief to host AFCON at the highest level.
Another thing that makes AFCON unique is accessibility. We’ve all seen the headlines about World Cup ticket prices, thousands of dollars just to follow your team. AFCON is different. CAF has made sure tickets are affordable, starting from around 100 dirhams in the group stage. That means ordinary fans, families and young supporters can be part of the experience. When you have that mix of people in the stands, the atmosphere becomes even more powerful.
Moroccan fans are famous for their tifos, their chants, the rhythm of the drums, it’s not just support, it’s theatre. That energy will lift the home team but also put them under pressure, because every touch is judged. For me, that’s what makes AFCON unforgettable: the atmosphere isn’t just a backdrop, it becomes part of the contest itself.
Firstly, it’s important to say Maresca has done a lot of good work at Chelsea, and the club will want stability. But if results don’t improve, naturally speculation will grow.
My former team-mate Frank Lampard is one name that stands out for me. He’s doing amazingly at Coventry right now, showing he’s learned from his previous experiences. He knows Chelsea inside out, he’s a club legend, and with more maturity and tactical growth, he could do well if given another chance.
Andoni Iraola is another coach who has impressed in the Premier League with his intensity and pressing style. He’s shown he can adapt quickly and get the best out of his players.
Then there’s Régis Le Bris. He built his reputation at Lorient by developing young talent and playing progressive football, and now at Sunderland he’s showing he can translate those ideas into a different environment. That combination of nurturing players and tactical innovation makes him an intriguing option for a club like Chelsea.
So while Maresca still has time to turn things around, if Chelsea were to make a change, Lampard, Iraola, and Le Bris would all be strong candidates.
