The stage is set for a monumental clash of African football titans. This Sunday, the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat will host the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where tournament hosts Morocco will battle defending champions Senegal for continental supremacy.
Atlas Lions Carry Nation's Weight on Their Shoulders
For Morocco, the pressure is immense. Walid Regragui's side entered as favourites, buoyed by their historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals and their status as Africa's top-ranked team. They are unbeaten in two years, with their last loss coming against South Africa in the last 16 of the previous AFCON in Ivory Coast.
Captained by the reigning African Footballer of the Year, Paris Saint-Germain's dynamic full-back Achraf Hakimi, Morocco has navigated a challenging path to the final. After initial friction with their own supporters during the group stage, the team won over a demanding public with commanding performances, including a quarter-final victory over Cameroon and a tense penalty shootout win against Nigeria in the semi-final on Wednesday.
Coach Regragui, who played in Morocco's last final appearance—a loss to hosts Tunisia in 2004—is acutely aware of the historical stakes. Morocco's sole AFCON title dates back to 1976 in Ethiopia. "Eventually people are going to accept that Morocco are actually a major football nation," Regragui stated. "But to go to the next step we have to win titles, so Sunday’s match is really important in terms of our history."
Senegal's Golden Generation Seeks Glorious Farewell
Standing in their way is a seasoned and formidable Senegal squad. Ranked as Africa's second-best team, the Lions of Teranga are contesting their third final in four AFCON editions. After their heartbreak against Algeria in 2019, they triumphed in Yaounde in 2022, defeating Egypt on penalties for their maiden title.
This campaign marks a potential farewell for several legends. Sadio Mane confirmed after the semi-final victory over Egypt that this final would be his last Cup of Nations match. The 34-year-old forward, whose goal sent Senegal to this final, emphasized the collective mission: "I am a soldier of the nation... The most important thing is to bring this cup to Dakar."
He is part of an experienced core, including goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye, and skipper Kalidou Koulibaly, all aged between 33 and 36. Senegal will be without the suspended Koulibaly, a significant blow for a team that has built its success on a rock-solid defence.
A Final of Fine Margins and Historic Implications
The final promises to be a tactical duel between two outstanding defensive units. Remarkably, the two finalists have conceded just three goals combined throughout the entire tournament.
For Morocco, victory would end a 49-year wait and validate their status as Africa's premier football force in front of a partisan home crowd of nearly 70,000. For Senegal, a win would cement their dynasty and provide a perfect send-off for their iconic generation. The outcome will not only decide the champion of Africa but could also define the legacy of two of the continent's greatest modern teams.
