AFCON 2025: Hosts Morocco out to end trophy drought as Senegal seek glory in highly anticipated showdown
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 18.01.26. | 10:41
The winner will claim a gold medal and a cash prize of USD 5,000,000 (approximately Ksh 750 million),
After a grueling month of Africa’s premier football tournament, the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) culminates in a highly anticipated final on Sunday, 18 January.
Hosts Morocco will face Senegal at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to a fiercely contested championship.
The clash marks the first-ever meeting between the two footballing powerhouses in an AFCON final, setting the stage for a historic encounter.
Senegal make their fourth appearance in the final, having previously featured in 2002, 2019, and 2021. The 2021 campaign was particularly memorable as the Lions of Teranga clinched their maiden AFCON title, returning to the continent’s showpiece tournament after a four-year absence.
For Morocco, this final represents their third AFCON final appearance. Their previous outings include the 1976 finals, where they secured their first and only AFCON title, and the 2004 finals, marking over two decades since their last participation.
Overall, Sunday’s final will be the 32nd meeting between the two nations, with the Atlas Lions holding a superior record of 18 wins compared to Senegal’s six, while seven encounters ended in draws.
Their most recent competitive encounter came in August 2025 during the African Nations Championship, jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Morocco emerged victorious on penalties, 5–3, after a 1–1 draw in regular time, adding extra motivation for Senegal to seek revenge on Africa’s grandest stage.
Senegal topped Group D unbeaten with seven points, then overcame Sudan 3–1 in the Round of 16. In the quarter-finals, they edged Mali 1–0 and followed it with another narrow 1–0 victory over seven-time champions Egypt to secure their place in the final.
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Morocco, drawn in Group A, also topped their group with seven points. They defeated Tanzania 1–0 in the Round of 16, eliminated five-time champions Cameroon 2–0 in the quarter-finals, and advanced past Nigeria 4–2 on penalties in the semi-finals to set up the title clash.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui acknowledged the weight of expectations for the host nation.
“The team that naturally has the pressure is Morocco. It’s normal, we’re playing at home,” he said. “For us, the key factor will be managing emotions. My only fear is not playing freely, putting too much pressure on ourselves, and thinking negatively. This is a football match, a final: you have to play it, you have to enjoy it.”
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw emphasized composure, stating, “Today, it’s the image of Africa that is at stake. Playing the host nation is never easy because of the crowd, but on the pitch, it’s eleven versus eleven.”
Defender Moussa Niakhaté added, “We will go all out to win the trophy for captain Sadio Mané, who announced his retirement from international football at the end of this tournament. For him, we want to give him this second star so that he can be recognized as one of the best players on the continent.”
Both nations are vying for a second AFCON title, with Morocco aiming to end a 50-year drought and Senegal seeking to add a second trophy in just four years.
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The winner will also claim a gold medal and a cash prize of USD 5,000,000 (approximately Ksh 750 million), guaranteeing a high-stakes, explosive finale to an unforgettable edition of Africa’s premier football championship.
