Bayern Boss Vincent Kompany Wants These Underdogs to Win AFCON 2025

With less than a week remaining, when Africa's most prestigious international tournament, the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, begins in Morocco. All the 24 participating teams that have qualified after winning the AFCON Playoffs are busy with their preparations. While several squads have already started landing across six host cities.

Many high-profile names with European experience have been called up for the national team duties in the upcoming AFCON 2025. One such name is Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson. The Senegalese international, who is playing on a season-long loan spell with the Bavarians from English Premier League side Chelsea, has left his club's premises to join the Teranga Lions camp. Senegal are the ultimate favourite to lift the championship this year.

While speaking on Jackson's availability for club duties, Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany AFCON prediction has hit headlines. After his comments went viral, fans might be wondering about Vincent Kompany African origin, Vincent Kompany parents nationality and his connection with DR Congo national football team.

Why Vincent Kompany Rooting for DR Congo in AFCON?

One of the finest defenders of this generation, Vincent Kompany enjoyed a highly successful professional playing career with club and country. He has now picked up the managerial career, fair to say, doing incredibly well in the coaching domain. Kompany was remarkable at the back for Manchester City during his decade-long stay in England. The Belgian icon amassed 12 major titles with the Sky Blues, leading them as captain – it includes 4 Premier League titles, 4 EFL Cups, 2 FA Cups, and as many Community Shield triumphs.

Born in Uccle, Belgium, he represented the Belgian national football team at the international level, amassing 89 national caps. Interestingly, the 39-year-old tactician has African roots through his father, Pierre Kompany. Pierre was born in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the city named Bukavu. Vincent's father moved to Belgium in the 1970s and later became a successful politician. Whereas his mother, Joseline Fraselle, is a Belgian national.

Bayern Munich's manager has been proactive in expressing his loyalty to his DRC heritage, speaking on geopolitical affairs. He once revealed, "I'm 100 per cent Belgian and 100 per cent Congolese. My dad was born in the east of Congo. My grandmother is from Bukavu, in the Kivu region in eastern Congo

In a recent press conference, the 4-time PL champion, once again voiced his support in favour of the DR Congo national football team for the upcoming AFCON championship. When asked about when Jackson will leave for Morocco, he said, “My information is that he will leave with Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations after the match against Mainz.

He then added, "We hope he goes as far as possible. Of course, I want Congo to win, but if not, I wish him all the best. For African players, the importance of this competition should never be underestimated.” This year, Congo has been drawn in the same group D along with the group favourites, Senegal, Botswana and Benin.