French football tactician Claude Le Roy, an expert on African football who has previously coached the likes of Cameroon, Senegal, Togo, DR Congo, Congo and Ghana, believes the Lions of Teranga are among the strongest sides at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

In his personal prediction for the podium places at the 2025 Afcon, the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations winner, who was in the Cameroon dugout when they defeated Nigeria, ranked Senegal just behind Morocco and ahead of Nigeria.

While the Super Eagles have lifted the Afcon trophy on three occasions, both the Atlas Lions and the Lions of Teranga have been crowned champions once, in 1976 and 2021 respectively.

Senegal are expected to include former Premier League stars Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly and Édouard Mendy in their final squad for the tournament, alongside emerging talents such as Ibrahim Mbaye, Mamadou Sarr, El Hadji Malick Diouf and Pape Matar Sarr.

With this blend of experienced internationals and promising young players, Le Roy believes Senegal are capable of challenging for the trophy, ranking them ahead of the Super Eagles, who are traditionally considered among the favourites to win the Afcon.

Speaking on Canal +, Le Roy stated: "Senegal play well. You only have to look at the stats and before Nigeria, they are the second big favourite behind Morocco for me in this Africa Cup of Nations."

The Lions of Teranga will play their entire group stage campaign in Tangier, starting with a match against Botswana, which they are heavily favoured to win. 

Their second group fixture will see them face the Democratic Republic of Congo, a clash expected to test Senegal's tactical depth, before concluding the group stage against Gernot Rohr's Benin side.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel