Morocco and Senegal Set for Historic AFCON 2025 Final Showdown
The stage is set for a blockbuster finale at the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, as hosts Morocco face Senegal in Sunday’s final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat with history and continental pride on the line.
Senegal, appearing in their fourth AFCON final and first since 2021, have powered through the tournament with five wins from six matches, defeating Sudan, Mali and Egypt in the knockout rounds.
Their only slip came in a 1-1 group-stage draw against DR Congo. Led by coach Pape Thiaw, the Lions of Teranga have scored 12 goals, their highest tally at a single AFCON, and are unbeaten in their last 17 matches in the competition.
Star forward Sadio Mané, who netted in the semi-final against Egypt, has now taken his AFCON tally to 11 goals, joining the ranks of the tournament’s all-time great scorers.
Morocco, meanwhile, will contest their second AFCON final and first since 2004. The Atlas Lions, champions in 1976, have reached the final as hosts for the first time, becoming the 15th nation to do so.
Walid Regragui’s side have been defensively imperious, conceding just once in six matches and keeping five clean sheets.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has been central to their success, recording his best-ever run at the tournament. Morocco’s attacking spark has come from Brahim Díaz, who scored in five consecutive matches before being held in the semi-final against Nigeria, which Morocco won on penalties.
This final marks the first AFCON meeting between Senegal and Morocco, though the two sides share a long history across 31 previous encounters.
Morocco hold the upper hand with 18 wins to Senegal’s six, alongside seven draws. Their rivalry stretches back to World Cup qualifiers in 1970 and 1994, and more recently at the 2024 African Nations Championship, where Morocco eliminated Senegal in the semi-finals.
The clash also carries historical weight for host nations. Morocco are bidding to become the 12th host to win the AFCON, and victory would mark back-to-back triumphs for host nations after Côte d’Ivoire’s success in 2023.
The last three hosts to reach the final, Tunisia in 2004, Egypt in 2006 and Côte d’Ivoire in 2023, all lifted the trophy. Senegal, however, are chasing a second continental crown after their breakthrough victory in 2021, and would become the first team to win four successive knockout games at a single AFCON if they triumph.
