Exclusive interview – Ridha Jeddi: Morocco deserved its CHAN 2024, 7 favorites for AFCON 2025 | OneFootball

CHAN 2024 showcased a rather impressive tactical level, with well-organized units, defensive discipline, and teams displaying great adaptability.Several players made their mark: Mohamed Hrimat (Morocco, best player), Oussama Lamlioui (top scorer), Marc Diouf (best goalkeeper), and Madagascar’s Michel Ramandimbisoa, who was decisive in the penalty shootouts.Morocco fully deserved their third title, beating surprise finalists Madagascar, while Senegal took third place. It was a tactically robust tournament, highlighted by Morocco’s maturity and Madagascar’s breakthrough.

African football is not stagnating; it’s in a period of transition: it has caught up in terms of defensive and organizational structure, but still needs to progress in collective mastery and attacking variety. AFCON 2025 and the recent CHAN showed that matches are more structured, but sometimes overly cautious. In short: there’s real tactical progress, but not yet the consistency and creativity needed to make Africa a constant rival to the top European or South American nations.

To reform Tunisian football, we must professionalize club management, invest in youth and coach development, modernize facilities, clean up finances, give more space to local talents, and develop women’s football. The objective: a more structured, transparent, and competitive football on both the African and international stage.

In Tunisia, the youngsters to watch are Amine Memmiche (goalkeeper, Espérance), Koussay Ben Maacha (17, winger, Espérance), Raki Aouani (forward, ESS), and Ghaith Ouahabi (midfielder/defender). Abroad, Hannibal Mejbri remains a reference.Across Africa, several gems are emerging: Lamine Camara (Senegal, Monaco), Karim Konaté (Ivory Coast, Salzburg), Oumar Diakité (Ivory Coast, Reims), Ousmane Diomandé (Ivory Coast, Sporting), Ibrahim Maza (Algeria, Hertha), Anis Hadj Moussa (Algeria, Feyenoord), and Jerry Afriyie (Ghana).

Tunisia undeniably has solid foundations to play a leading role at the next AFCON: tactical depth, experienced players, and renewed stability under Trabelsi. They are among the teams capable of aiming for the final.But several areas need attention: improving attacking transitions, restoring coherence in technical decisions, and avoiding the pitfalls posed by “less renowned” teams, which have troubled them in qualifying.In short: they have the tools to dream of a second continental crown, provided they stabilize their tactical plan and unlock their full potential during the tournament.

Morocco is clearly in pole position, buoyed by its status as host and a well-rounded squad. Behind them, Algeria, Egypt, Senegal, and Nigeria are all strong contenders. Ivory Coast, as defending champions, also has a major asset. As for Tunisia, they appear more as outsiders, with fewer advantages in their favor according to predictions.

Achraf Hakimi is a credible Ballon d’Or candidate thanks to his speed, versatility, and offensive impact. However, he’ll need to shine in a major competition and outshine heavily publicized strikers to truly claim the trophy.

Messi and Ronaldo can still be competitive at the 2026 World Cup thanks to their technique, experience, and football intelligence. However, age will start to limit their endurance, and their role will likely be more tactical than physical, with their national teams using them more strategically.

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