Morocco head coach, Walid Regragui has named Nigeria and other five countries possibly to win the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
Walid Regragui is the man behind the eye-catching success of Morocco during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after guiding the team to the semi-final.
Regragui identified Nigeria and other top African countries that are capable of winning the tournament in Ivory Coast.
The 48-year-old snubbed his nation which is obviously among the contenders for the prestigious African trophy.
During the 2022 World Cup, Morocco made a name for themselves by becoming the first African country to reach the semi-final stage of the global tournament.
Since Egypt completed three straight Cup of Nations triumphs in 2010, six editions have produced six different winning nations and the 2024 tournament is arguably the most open ever.
However, AFCON have produced six different winning nations since Egypt won it back-to-back for three straight years.
Here are the contenders who are possible to lift the trophy after the final in Abidjan on February 11, according to Walid Regragui.
Nigeria
The Super Eagles boast a list of forwards led by new African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface that must be the envy of the 23 other national coaches.
Meanwhile, head coach, Jose Peseiro has been under intense pressure for persisting with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and called up South Africa-based Stanley Nwabili as a possible alternative.
Cameroon
The form of the Indomitable Lions has been consistently surprising since former player Rigobert Song became manager early last year after they finished third as hosts of the last Nations Cup.
Cameroon defeated record five-time champions Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar but took only one point from a possible six against minnows Namibia in qualifiers for the Ivory Coast.
Ghana
The Black Stars are always among the favorites, but it is tough to make a case for the Chris Hughton-coached side becoming champions following a poor performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
They needed Inaki Williams's goal deep in added time to defeat visiting Madagascar, then lost away to brave Comoros, who failed to make it to the 2024 Nations Cup.
Algeria
Impressive champions in 2019 but flopped in 2022 when they crashed out after the first round.
Coach Djamel Belmadi has chosen a mix of old and new faces, including 2019 final match-winner Baghdad Bounedjah as the Desert Foxes chase a third title.
Egypt
The current form of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah guarantees the Pharaohs will be among the favorites as they search for a record-extending eighth title with an experienced squad.
Salah has had to settle for runners-up medals in two of the last three finals and will hope he and fellow regular scorers Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed can strike gold this time.
Below is the list of other countries possible to win the AFCON tournament.
Ivory Coast
With home advantage comes high expectations, and how the Elephants handle the unavoidable pressure will be closely watched as the country strives for a third title.
French coach Jean-Louis Gasset has opted to do without former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, trusting the likes of Seko Fofana, Sebastien Haller, and Ibrahim Sangare to score.
Burkina Faso
The Stallions are missing from most lists of favorites, but in their last four appearances from 2013, they can boast of second-place, third-place, and fourth-place finishes.
They have several players in top European leagues, including Manchester City full-back Issa Kabore who's on loan at Luton Town, but a lack of playing time for Bertrand Traore at Aston Villa is a setback.
Morocco
After defeating Belgium, and then eliminating Spain and Portugal at the World Cup, Morocco are the favorites of many to win a second African title, 48 years after last achieving the feat.
Tunisia
The Carthage Eagles have qualified for a record 16th consecutive Cup of Nations, but the best they have managed since winning as hosts in 2004 was fourth place five years ago.
In a squad including veteran forward Youssef Msakni, they boast plenty of experience and talent and dare not be written off.
Walid Regragui is the man behind the eye-catching success of Morocco during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after guiding the team to the semi-final.
Regragui identified Nigeria and other top African countries that are capable of winning the tournament in Ivory Coast.
The 48-year-old snubbed his nation which is obviously among the contenders for the prestigious African trophy.
During the 2022 World Cup, Morocco made a name for themselves by becoming the first African country to reach the semi-final stage of the global tournament.
Since Egypt completed three straight Cup of Nations triumphs in 2010, six editions have produced six different winning nations and the 2024 tournament is arguably the most open ever.
However, AFCON have produced six different winning nations since Egypt won it back-to-back for three straight years.
Here are the contenders who are possible to lift the trophy after the final in Abidjan on February 11, according to Walid Regragui.
Nigeria
The Super Eagles boast a list of forwards led by new African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface that must be the envy of the 23 other national coaches.
Meanwhile, head coach, Jose Peseiro has been under intense pressure for persisting with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and called up South Africa-based Stanley Nwabili as a possible alternative.
Cameroon
The form of the Indomitable Lions has been consistently surprising since former player Rigobert Song became manager early last year after they finished third as hosts of the last Nations Cup.
Cameroon defeated record five-time champions Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar but took only one point from a possible six against minnows Namibia in qualifiers for the Ivory Coast.
Ghana
The Black Stars are always among the favorites, but it is tough to make a case for the Chris Hughton-coached side becoming champions following a poor performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
They needed Inaki Williams's goal deep in added time to defeat visiting Madagascar, then lost away to brave Comoros, who failed to make it to the 2024 Nations Cup.
Algeria
Impressive champions in 2019 but flopped in 2022 when they crashed out after the first round.
Coach Djamel Belmadi has chosen a mix of old and new faces, including 2019 final match-winner Baghdad Bounedjah as the Desert Foxes chase a third title.
Egypt
The current form of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah guarantees the Pharaohs will be among the favorites as they search for a record-extending eighth title with an experienced squad.
Salah has had to settle for runners-up medals in two of the last three finals and will hope he and fellow regular scorers Omar Marmoush and Mostafa Mohamed can strike gold this time.
Below is the list of other countries possible to win the AFCON tournament.
Ivory Coast
With home advantage comes high expectations, and how the Elephants handle the unavoidable pressure will be closely watched as the country strives for a third title.
French coach Jean-Louis Gasset has opted to do without former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, trusting the likes of Seko Fofana, Sebastien Haller, and Ibrahim Sangare to score.
Burkina Faso
The Stallions are missing from most lists of favorites, but in their last four appearances from 2013, they can boast of second-place, third-place, and fourth-place finishes.
They have several players in top European leagues, including Manchester City full-back Issa Kabore who's on loan at Luton Town, but a lack of playing time for Bertrand Traore at Aston Villa is a setback.
Morocco
After defeating Belgium, and then eliminating Spain and Portugal at the World Cup, Morocco are the favorites of many to win a second African title, 48 years after last achieving the feat.
Tunisia
The Carthage Eagles have qualified for a record 16th consecutive Cup of Nations, but the best they have managed since winning as hosts in 2004 was fourth place five years ago.
In a squad including veteran forward Youssef Msakni, they boast plenty of experience and talent and dare not be written off.