AFCON 2025 Group F Predictions: Cameroon’s crisis could make or break them

Defending champions Ivory Coast are in Group F for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. They will compete against Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique, and their chances of making the knockout stage are favourable.

My Group F predictions can be found below, which include team previews that are supported by the latest odds on offer at Betfred.

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Africa Cup of Nations Odds

Cameroon

Fifa world ranking: 57

To win the group: 7/4

Cameroonian football has been on a rollercoaster over the years. Against all odds, during one of their most difficult periods off the field, they went on to win Afcon for the fifth time in 2017 under the guidance of Hugo Broos.

The national team is in a difficult position this time around, as there has been a fight for who is going to be in charge of the Indomitable Lions for the tournament. Former striker and current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto'o, has been trying to oust Marc Brys, who was appointed by the Ministry of Sport.

Eto'o appointed David Pagou as his coach, and so there have been two different squad lists, which has made the build-up to Afcon confusing. Brys was unhappy as Eto'o's squad list was omitting players such as Vincent Aboubakar, who is second behind Eto'o in Cameroon's all-time top scorer list.

So it seems as though the Indomitable Lions are at a disadvantage before a ball is kicked, but they have shown that off-field problems can inspire them to glory in the past; perhaps history can repeat itself.

Key player: Bryan Mbeumo

Manchester United's summer signing Bryan Mbeumo is probably going to be Cameroon's biggest asset in Morocco. Since switching his nationality from France, the former Brentford attacker has featured 27 times for the Indomitable Lions, scoring on seven occasions.

Their squad depth is not as strong as some of their rivals who have qualified for the finals, so it does look like that Mbeumo will be turned to for inspiration a lot over the next few weeks.

There is no doubting his quality both for creating and scoring goals, but there is only so much he can do on his own.

Prediction: Cameroon will fancy their chances of getting out of the group, but the drama that has taken centre stage in recent days may affect their performance. But as the past shows us, sometimes this is when they can be at their most threatening.

If they don't finish second, I would be confident in saying that they would be one of the six third-placed sides to progress.

Football Odds

Gabon

Fifa world ranking: 78

To win the group: 6/1

Gabon return to the Afcon finals after missing out on the last edition. On their latest appearance in 2021, they reached the round of 16 in Cameroon after going unbeaten in the group stage.

They have reached the quarter-finals twice (1996 and 2012) in their history, which is their best performance in this competition. They have been dealt a difficult group on this occasion, but they have players who can pose problems for all of their rivals.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still scoring goals in Europe with Marseille at the age of 36, but he will need to find a way to translate that form into his Afcon performances.

Key player: Mario Lemina

Former Wolves and Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina is probably the most consistent star for the Panthers right now, and considering games tend to be won and lost in the middle of the park, he will need to bring his A-game.

Like Aubameyang, he is in his 30s, so this does feel like Gabon's last chance to achieve something special with this crop that features the best striker they've ever produced.

The forward will be reliant on Lemina winning the ball and distributing it forward for him to get the opportunities that he would pray for.

Prediction: On the balance of things, Gabon do have a shot of getting out of the group. I think top spot is reserved for Ivory Coast, but they can certainly challenge Cameroon for second, given the off-field troubles that have centred around the latter of late.

Ivory Coast

Fifa world ranking: 42

To win the group: 4/5

As the reigning champions, having prevailed on home soil in the 2023 edition, a lot of expectation lies on the Ivory Coast's shoulders in Morocco. They have momentum behind them as the holders but also as they have secured their place at the 2026 World Cup finals in North America.

Their triumph in the last edition was impressive as they were slow starters. Their football wasn't pretty to begin with but they were ruthlessly effective towards the end.

The Elephants did only qualify for this tournament as the second-placed side in their qualifying group, having been beaten twice in six matches. They were the top scorers, however, with 12 goals and their attacking players can strike fear into their rivals in Group F.

Ivory Coast will be hoping to be the first team since Egypt in 2010 to successfully defend their crown.

Key player: Amad Diallo

Manchester United's Amad Diallo links up with the Elephants after scoring in his last domestic outing, a gripping 4-4 Premier League draw with AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

His pace and trickery will be a huge asset for the Ivory Coast in Morocco, and I can see him having a breakout tournament, especially when his nation have lofty ambitions in Morocco.

Prediction: With the confidence that should come as the current holders, followed by their recent World Cup qualification, Ivory Coast should be able to navigate their way through the group stage, and given the teams they are up against, I feel confident in saying that they should top the group. They cannot be complacent, however.

Mozambique

Fifa world ranking: 102

To win the group: 18/1

There is no beating around the bush, Mozambique are the underdogs in Group F, but this can be turned into their advantage. The pressure will be on their opponents in each fixture they play, and Mozambique do have some players who can cause them problems.

In their history, the Mambas have never progressed past the group stage, but they may sense an opportunity awaits them in 202,5 given both Cameroon and Gabon are not perceived to be at the peak of their powers.

Key player: Geny Catamo

Forward Geny Catamo will be the one player Mozambique will look to for guidance as he is the most notable name in their ranks. The Sporting CP attacker has 13 goals in 38 appearances for the Mambas, and only veteran midfielder Domingues (16) has more goals for Mozambique than the striker.

Prediction: Catamo can certainly have an impact in Morocco, but Mozambique cannot solely rely upon him for success to get them out of the group stage for the first time in their history.

As mentioned earlier, the current situations surrounding both Cameroon and Gabon opens the door for a surprise in Group F, so this could be a tough one to call. That being said, I think the rest of the group have more players who can step up in key moments, so sadly I am predicting another premature exit for the Mambas.