AFCON 2025: ‘We’re the favorites,’ Senegal already warns Benin and the DRC
A few weeks before the kick-off of AFCON 2025 in Morocco, Senegalese defender Moussa Niakhaté says the Teranga Lions must fully embrace their status as favorites and announces his desire to play a major role in the quest for another continental title.
CAN 2023 – Sénégal les lions de la Téranga frappés par un malheur
As Senegal enters the final stretch before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Moussa Niakhaté shows unmistakable determination. The Olympique Lyonnais defender, now one of the team’s leaders, approaches the continental tournament with a clear ambition: to take the Lions as far as possible and fully accept their status as title contenders.
For the former Nottingham Forest player, this season carries particular importance. Between his club’s high aims, European deadlines and major international competitions, Niakhaté feels he is living “a pivotal year” in which every challenge can further propel his career. Senegal’s recent performances — unbeaten for 26 matches before their defeat to Brazil — bolster his optimism: this team now has the credentials to aim very high.
“This season is a once-in-a-lifetime one: we can aspire to great things in the league, we can win the Europa League. And in that same season there’s AFCON where we’re favorites. There’s also the World Cup, where we’ve had consecutive appearances for three editions. And we’re on a 26-match unbeaten run (the interview was conducted before the 0-2 defeat to Brazil on November 15 in London, ed.) in which we beat England (3-1) and Brazil (4-2)”, he said, quoted by Wiwsport.
Aware that the 2022 African champions can no longer keep a low profile, the 28-year-old defender embraces the pressure and insists on his desire to play a major role in the Lions’ campaign. “Hiding” is no longer an option: Senegal goes into the competition as one of the favorites and knows it is expected.
With a generation rich in talent, experience accumulated at the highest level and a collective seeking confirmation, the Teranga Lions harbor genuine ambitions. Opponents of the Senegalese in Group D — Benin, the DRC and Botswana — have been warned!