The decisive night… a historic clash to determine Africa’s champion

Moroccan football fans are holding their breath this evening in the capital Rabat, as the Morocco national team prepares to contest the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted on home soil, against Senegal in a decisive clash for a long-awaited continental title.

The Atlas Lions are aiming to lift their second AFCON title in history, following their only triumph in 1976, while also seeking redemption after losing the 2003 final against hosts Tunisia — their last appearance in the tournament’s final.

Stability and sustained ambition

Morocco enter the final on the back of remarkable achievements in recent years, most notably reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, alongside topping the African rankings and sitting 11th in the FIFA world rankings.

The team has remained unbeaten for the past two years, aside from a single group-stage draw against Mali, maintaining an impressive winning streak that reflects strong tactical stability and mental resilience.

Head coach and staff are counting heavily on the expected massive home support at Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which can accommodate nearly 69,000 spectators, hoping to capitalize on home advantage to seal a historic victory.

Regragui: A chance to make history

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, head coach Walid Regragui stated that reaching the final had been a clear objective for the past two years, emphasizing that playing a continental final on Moroccan soil is a dream for any coach.

Regragui added that the goal extends beyond winning the title, aiming instead to establish a culture of sustained competitiveness for major trophies, while acknowledging the difficulty of facing a strong Senegalese side — a challenge that also represents an opportunity to write a new chapter in Moroccan football history.

Attacking flair and defensive solidity

Morocco’s journey to the final has been fueled by the outstanding form of Brahim Díaz, the Real Madrid forward who leads the tournament’s scoring charts with five goals, alongside a rock-solid defense that has conceded just one goal, coming from a penalty, throughout the competition.

Senegal chasing a second crown

On the other side, Senegal are contesting their fourth AFCON final, and their third in the last four editions, aiming to secure their second continental title after winning the 2022 edition at Egypt’s expense.

The Lions of Teranga rely on a well-organized defense that has conceded only two goals during the tournament, as well as the experience of veteran star Sadio Mané, who has hinted that this final could be his last appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Organizational dispute and official response

The hours leading up to the final witnessed limited tension after the Senegalese Football Federation raised concerns regarding certain organizational arrangements, including arrival logistics in Rabat, accommodation, and ticket allocation for Senegalese supporters.

Senegal’s coaching staff reported that the team faced uncomfortable situations upon arrival, calling for such issues to be avoided to preserve the tournament’s image.

In an official response, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reaffirmed its full commitment to regulations, stressing that all teams were subject to the same standards, and confirmed that Senegal’s remarks were addressed in coordination with the local organizing committee concerning accommodation, training facilities, and ticket distribution.