The Athletic FC Podcast — AFCON 2025: "Fired up" Salah, Favourites and Surprise Packages

Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Guests: Jay Harris, Si Hughes, Chris Hughton (former Ghana coach)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Athletic FC Podcast provides a comprehensive preview of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, hosted in Morocco. Host Ayo Akinwolere is joined by reporters Jay Harris and Si Hughes—both heading to AFCON—plus special guest and former Ghana coach Chris Hughton. The discussion covers tournament logistics, the unique allure of AFCON, political and organizational challenges, in-depth analysis of favourites and dark horses, star players (notably Mo Salah), and the recurring drama around prominent teams such as Nigeria and Cameroon.

Tournament Context and What Makes AFCON Special

• AFCON 2025 Logistics:

  • Host country: Morocco, in 9 stadiums across 6 cities.
  • Tournament kicks off with Morocco vs. Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat (68,000 seats).
    [02:33] Jay Harris

• AFCON’s Unique Appeal:

  • Every nation, regardless of its chances, truly believes it could win.
  • No African nation has won the World Cup, so AFCON carries enormous pride and national significance.
  • The rhythm, pace, and newsworthiness of AFCON sets it apart from other tournaments.
    • “People are desperate to win this because they think that they might… there’s always news stories around it and interesting subjects to write about.” — Si Hughes [03:59]

• Accessibility and Broadcasts:

  • Channel 4/E4 (UK) to broadcast and stream all games, increasing visibility.
    • “They’re treating it with the importance that it deserves.” — Si Hughes [07:29]

Political Tensions: Europe vs. Africa

• FIFA/CAF Scheduling Clashes:
  • FIFA’s late ruling meant clubs release players for AFCON seven days later than usual, squeezing team preparations.
    • “There’d be absolute uproar if it were the other way around… It’s extremely unfair.” — Jay Harris [09:25]
    • “The worst part…was the timing…It stinks.” — Si Hughes [11:19]
  • Colonial/postcolonial context, European priorities vs. African needs.
    • “Whether or not European entities would bend over backwards for African federations…” — Ayo Akinwolere [12:48]

Tournament Favourites and Key Teams

Morocco (Hosts)

• Top players: Hakimi, Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid).
• First AFCON title since 1976 is the goal; huge home pressure due to their World Cup success.
  • “There’s a huge amount of pressure on Morocco…their fans at the World Cup in Qatar were phenomenal…a righteous party-like atmosphere at every game…” — Jay Harris [13:28]
• Hakimi’s fitness is uncertain; he’s just won African Player of the Year (on a mobility scooter!).
  • “African Player of the Year who picked up the award while on a mobility scooter…” — Jay Harris [14:53]

Egypt

• Storylines: Egypt has never won AFCON with Mohamed Salah in the squad, despite his global stardom; he arrives in “fired up” form.
  • “It’s also a Mohamed Salah with a point to prove, which…tends to fire him up.” — Si Hughes [15:39]
• Egypt’s group is tough (notably with South Africa). Momentum is everything.
  • “Egypt have gone close before…they lost the final to Senegal, but in the last one that they were poor, really…” — Si Hughes [15:39]

Nigeria

• Continual organizational drama overshadows immense player talent (Osimhen, Iwobi, etc.).
  • “It always feels like there’s some sort of chaos going on, that it just ends up becoming a massive destruction.” — Jay Harris [23:44]
• Recent national team infighting and injuries to key defenders. Five new players called up.
• Repeated heartbreak predicted:
  • “I have a horrible feeling that’s going to end in tears again.” — Jay Harris [22:57]

Ivory Coast

• The defending champions, managed to win last time even after sacking their coach mid-tournament.
  • “To see them then win the competition…ridiculous really.” — Si Hughes [25:04]
• Strength in squad depth, not reliant on one star player.
• Omitted some surprising names (A. Dingra, Haller), brought in Zaha.
  • “That certainly caught my eye and I think is a little bit strange…” — Jay Harris [29:13]
• Past winners of AFCON usually don’t reach the next tournament’s knockout stages (“AFCON holders’ curse”).

Cameroon

• Chaotic and disorganized even before the kick-off; sacked coach weeks before, new coach barely met squad, dual squad lists, senior players left out.
  • “If we’re talking about surprise packages at this tournament, Cameroon are going to be a surprise package for all the wrong reasons. They are going to crash and burn spectacularly.” — Jay Harris [31:44]
• Lacking unity at FA level; “not a recipe for unity.”
  • “The countries in Africa that have the best teams are the ones with the most organized federations.” — Si Hughes [32:00]

Senegal

• Defending champions, powered by Sadio Mané (though not at his peak).
• Blend of youth and experience; new, more attacking manager.
  • “The coach has basically said Sadio Mané will decide when he comes out of the team.” — Si Hughes [33:23]
• Possible “friendly” path to the final; strong consensus on them as a likely finalist.

Dark Horses, Surprise Packages, and Notable Storylines

• South Africa: Good squad with mainly domestic players; strong league; potential upsetters though off-field issues dogging preparations.
• Sudan: Included amidst ongoing national conflict—remarkable participation.
• AFCON is always ripe for shocks: Past upsets, such as Zambia beating star-studded Ivory Coast in 2012.
  • “Anything can happen…there’s always some manner of madness, good and bad, which I just think means it’s unmissable.” — Jay Harris [05:24]

Expert and Insider Perspectives: Chris Hughton Interview (Former Ghana Coach, from 40:00)

On AFCON’s Prestige and Organization

• “For me, the experience was probably everything I thought about with AFCON…I think for your average Ghanaian, this is as big as the World Cup. For some, to be crowned champion of Africa is bigger than winning the World Cup.” [41:06–42:44]
• Praised modern AFCON infrastructure/facilities.

European Club Tensions

• “The African Cup of Nations is a huge tournament…we shouldn’t have managers complaining that they’re losing their players to AFCON; they knew what the African Cup meant.” [44:00]

Recruiting Dual-Nationality Players

• “Generally you’re not going to persuade somebody…if a player wants to submit for Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, he will, because all of those thought processes he’s already had.” [45:28]

Tournament Predictions

• Favourite: Morocco (deep squad, home advantage, experience; able to handle pressure).
• Outsiders: South Africa; quietly improving; done well in the past.
• Nigeria’s Previous Tactics: “In the last AFCON, they played a different system…three at the back, two aggressive wing backs—I thought Nigeria had done that ever so well.” [48:29]
• General Mood: "Really looking forward to it. The pitches will be very good. No excuses, no complaints." [49:11]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “This is a tradition for them. It should be held at this time…European leagues shouldn’t say, actually, now you’ve got to conform to us…” — Jay Harris [09:25]
• “For some [Ghanaians], to be crowned champions of Africa is bigger than winning the World Cup.” — Chris Hughton [42:44]
• “It wouldn’t be AFCON if there wasn’t drama with Cameroon.”—Ayo Akinwolere [32:00]
• “The countries in Africa that have the best teams are the ones that have the most organized federations—and that is the world over.” — Si Hughes [32:00]
• “Morocco is a huge football country…but there are people who are opposing, you know, the idea that these football stadiums should be built for the 2030 World Cup…” — Si Hughes [35:35]

Key Timestamps

• [01:48] — Episode kickoff, preview of AFCON 2025
• [02:33] — Tournament logistics, host nation Morocco
• [03:59] — What makes AFCON unique (Si Hughes)
• [07:29] — Broadcast and visibility, impact in the UK
• [09:25] — FIFA scheduling conflict impacts (Jay Harris)
• [13:28] — Morocco: Pressure, players, and expectations
• [15:39] — Egypt and Salah: Pressure on a star
• [20:43] — Nigeria’s ongoing issues and drama
• [24:33] — Ivory Coast: From disaster to joy and holding champion’s curse
• [29:42] — Cameroon: Pre-tournament chaos
• [33:23] — Senegal: Mané’s status and new attacking focus
• [34:49] — Predictions: Winners, dark horses, favorites
• [40:00] — Chris Hughton interview: AFCON’s meaning, logistics, dual-nationality players, and predictions

Summary Conclusion

This episode masterfully sets the stage for AFCON 2025 with lively analysis of footballing quality, cultural context, politics, and pure unpredictability. It’s a must-listen (or read!) for football fans eager to understand both the on- and off-pitch forces that shape Africa’s showpiece tournament. The passion, storylines, and drama make AFCON "unmissable"—with a fired-up Salah, home-pressured Morocco, and traditional powers like Senegal and Nigeria all seeking the continental crown.

Predicted Winner: Morocco (Hughton) or Senegal (Hughes).

(Summary compiled using original episode language and tone; all timestamps follow the MM:SS format for easy reference.)