Speaking to Duelbits, Chelsea legend and AFCON winner Salomon Kalou gave his verdict on the tournament so far, backing his pretournament predictions, assessing Ivory Coast’s chances, and naming the players who have impressed him most, something that can be used for better soccer betting. He also opened up on the departure of Enzo Maresca from Chelsea, possible replacements, the pressure of managerial change, and the transfer rumours surrounding some of Africa’s brightest young talents.
You were keen on Nigeria’s chances before the tournament started, despite many pundits predicting they would struggle. What have you made of their performances overall?
I said before the tournament that Nigeria were being underestimated, and I think that’s been proven right. looked at their squad, their preparation and assumed they’d be flat. But tournaments don’t work like that. Nigeria have been the team of the tournament so far, no question. They look like a group that understands pressure, embraces expectation and knows exactly how to win these games. They’ve shown maturity, control and a real killer instinct.
Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen were two players you highlighted pretournament. Have they lived up to the hype?
Lookman has been fantastic. He plays with so much confidence — always positive, always looking to make something happen. He’s been Nigeria’s spark. Osimhen… listen, he hasn’t exploded yet, but that’s the danger. He’s still influencing games, still dragging defenders all over the pitch. If he finds that extra gear, and he will, then Nigeria become almost unstoppable. His ceiling is frightening.
Raphael Onyedika was another player you picked out in your AFCON preview. He scored twice against Uganda and looks a real talent. How impressed have you been?
I love this kid. He plays with such maturity for his age, calm, intelligent, always in the right spaces. Those goals were just a bonus. His allround game is what excites me. For me, he’s going to the very top. He has that mix of discipline and personality you only see in elite midfielders.
Nigeria play Mozambique next. Is that game a foregone conclusion?
In football nothing is ever 100%… but yes, Nigeria should win. If they keep their focus, it’s a straightforward job. Mozambique will fight, but the gap in quality is big.
Your countrymen Ivory Coast have also made a strong start, including a comeback win from two goals down against Gabon. What have you made of their performances?
I’ve been really impressed, and honestly, not surprised. Ivory Coast look like a team with purpose. That comeback against Gabon wasn’t luck, it was mentality. When you’ve worn that shirt, you know what it represents: pride, resilience, and the belief that you can turn any game around.
They have quality everywhere, experience, physicality, creativity, and you can feel the confidence growing with every match. For me, they’re one of the teams nobody wants to face right now. If they keep this level, they can go very deep in the tournament.
Amad Diallo is another player you mentioned before the tournament, and he’s already scored twice. Is he the star man for Ivory Coast?
Amad has been brilliant. He plays with freedom, he takes risks, and he’s becoming more decisive. But I wouldn’t call him the only star. Franck Kessié has been a rock. He gives the team balance, leadership, and calm. Ivory Coast are dangerous because they have multiple players stepping up, not just one.
They now face your dark horses, Burkina Faso. How do you see that game playing out?
Burkina Faso are a good team, disciplined, physical and always dangerous on the counter. I picked them as dark horses for a reason. But let’s be honest: this is a different level of challenge for them.
Ivory Coast have momentum, they have quality and they have that belief you only get when you’re playing well at a major tournament. When the pressure rises, experience matters, and Ivory Coast have players who know how to manage these moments.
It won’t be easy, Burkina Faso will fight, but if Ivory Coast play with the same intensity and confidence they’ve shown so far, I think they come through this tie.
You also said South Africa could outrun their odds, but they now face Cameroon in one of the tightest last16 matchups. Who goes through?
This one is close. Cameroon haven’t convinced me, they look like a team still searching for rhythm. South Africa, on the other hand, look organised and hungry. If they stay compact and take their chances, they can win this tie.
Algeria were the only other team to take maximum points from their group and even rested Riyad Mahrez in the final game. How far can they go?
Algeria look very sharp. When you can rest Mahrez and still win comfortably, that tells you everything. They have depth, experience and a clear identity. For me, they should reach at least the semifinals.
The hosts Morocco topped their group, with Achraf Hakimi returning as well. How do you assess their chances?
I’ve been impressed. Playing at home can be a blessing or a burden, but Morocco have handled it beautifully. Hakimi is worldclass, he changes the whole dynamic of the team. Brahim Díaz has been electric, and El Kaabi is scoring for fun. They look like a team ready to go deep.
El Kaabi is another player you spoke about pretournament. Do you think he’ll end up in one of Europe’s top leagues soon?
Absolutely. For me, he’s ready for the Premier League. He has the movement, the aggression, the finishing, everything you need. And he’s playing with so much confidence right now. I expect him to keep this level for the rest of the tournament.
Who has been your player of the group stage?
Ademola Lookman and Amad Diallo are hard to split. Both have been decisive, both have lifted their teams and both look like they’re enjoying the pressure.
AFCON always throws up surprises. Which team has shocked you the most so far?
The biggest surprise for me has been Mozambique. Nobody expected them to finish above Gabon, that’s a huge achievement, and they fully deserved it. They’ve played with real courage, pressing high, taking risks, and showing they’re not afraid of anyone.
And Geny Catamo has been outstanding. He’s playing with so much confidence direct and always looking to make something happen. Every tournament has a breakout star, and he’s putting his hand up.
That’s the beauty of AFCON. A team arrives with nothing to lose, and suddenly they’re upsetting the established order. It keeps the big nations on their toes.
If you had to pick one team to avoid right now, who is it and why?
Nigeria. They look strong, confident, and they haven’t even hit their highest level yet. When a team is winning without playing their best football, that’s when you should worry. They have matchwinners everywhere and a mentality that suits knockout football.
From your experience, what’s the biggest challenge players face going into the knockout rounds?
The pressure changes completely. In the group stage you can afford a mistake, in the knockouts, one moment can send you home. The intensity rises, the tackles get harder, and the mental side becomes huge. You need players who stay calm, who don’t panic when the game gets tight. That’s why experience is so important at AFCON.
Do you think it was the right time for Chelsea to part ways with Enzo Maresca?
It’s always tough when a manager leaves, but Chelsea is a results club, everyone knows that. The pressure had been building for a while, and once the performances dipped, it became difficult for him. I don’t think he was far away from turning things around, but at Chelsea you don’t get much time. It’s an uncertain moment for the club, and I do feel for him because he was trying to build something.
It seems that Enzo Maresca fell out with the Chelsea leadership. What’s your view of the situation that led to him leaving?
When the relationship between a manager and the leadership breaks down, it’s almost impossible to recover. At a club like Chelsea, everyone has to be aligned, the board, the coach, the players. If there’s tension behind the scenes, it affects everything: the atmosphere, the confidence, the performances. I don’t know every detail, but from the outside it looked like the trust wasn’t there anymore, and once that happens, the end usually comes quickly.
Media speculation suggests the end was coming for a while. How did it affect you as a player when teams changed manager?
It can go both ways. Sometimes it’s difficult because you lose a coach who believed in you. But other times, it gives you a fresh chance. When Roberto Di Matteo came in, that change sparked something in the whole squad, a mental shift. My performances went up because he gave me a new perspective and a lot of confidence. A new manager can reset everything, and as a player you have to be ready for that moment.
Chelsea face Manchester City next. What can they do to get a positive result?
They have to be compact, disciplined, and ready to suffer without the ball. City will dominate possession, that’s normal, but Chelsea need to stay organised and wait for the right moments. When the chance comes, they have to break with numbers and get the ball to Cole Palmer quickly. He’s the one who can hurt City. They need to be clinical and intelligent.
With the transfer window now open, there haven’t been many players linked with Chelsea. Is there an area of the squad you think needs improving?
I think they need more experience in midfield. Chelsea have a lot of young talent, but sometimes you need a player who can slow the game down, control the tempo, and bring calm in difficult moments. Someone who has played big games and understands pressure. That balance is missing a little bit right now.
Who do you think should take over as Chelsea manager and why?
Frank Lampard would be a great choice. He understands the club, the expectations, the culture. He knows what it means to wear that shirt. But I also think Andoni Iraola is a strong candidate. His teams play with intensity, organisation, and clear identity. Chelsea need a coach who can bring stability and a longterm plan, and both of those names make sense.
It’s FA Cup Third Round weekend on the horizon too. You won the cup four times during your Chelsea career. How special is it to play in?
The FA Cup is magic. People say that all the time, but when you’ve actually played in it, you understand why. The atmosphere, the history, the pressure, it’s different. At Chelsea, we treated the FA Cup like a trophy we expected to win, and that mentality carried us far. Walking out at Wembley, feeling that noise, knowing the whole world is watching… those are moments you never forget. It’s one of the most special competitions in football.
Bazoumana Touré has been linked with a move to the Premier League. What can you tell fans about him?
He’s a really exciting winger, direct, powerful, and always looking to beat his man. What I like about him is that he plays with no fear. He’ll take risks, he’ll drive at defenders, and he has that confidence you need to succeed in England.
He’s still young, but the raw tools are all there: pace, aggression, end product. If he keeps developing his decisionmaking, he can make a big impact in the Premier League. He’s the kind of player fans get off their seats for
Yan Diomande is another player being linked with a move, with Manchester United, PSG and Bayern all rumoured to hold an interest. Where would be the best move for him?
PSG have very strong wingers already, players like Doue, Kvaratskhelia and Barcola, but moving to the European champions makes a lot of sense. He would learn a lot there, and the style of play suits him. It’s a big step, but he has the talent to make it work. Any club would be lucky to have him.
Simon Adingra scored his first goal for Sunderland this week. What does he need to do to get back into Ivory Coast reckoning?
He just needs consistency. The talent is there, everyone knows that. But for the national team, you have to show form week after week. If he keeps scoring, keeps working hard, and keeps improving his decisionmaking, he’ll be back in the conversation very quickly. Ivory Coast always welcomes players who are performing at a high level.
