Senegal will be playing for a second AFCON title but the players might have their minds split between the opponent in front of them and the unfortunate injury to a yet to be named teammate.
The Teranga Lions were warming up pregame when the player suffered the injury. Teammates hurdled up and lifted him back into the locker room.
It is not confirmed yet if the player will return for tonight’s game, but Senegal Pape Thiaw now has more issues to worry about with a number of players either suspended or ruled out with injury.
This will be the first meeting between Senegal and Morocco in the AFCON since its inception.
Meanwhile, both teams have maintained an unbeaten run through to the final.
Senegal played all their previous games in Tangier, while host Nation, Morocco have not left Rabat – playing all seven games in the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
One Trophy, Two Dreams: Morocco and Senegal Set for AFCON 2025 Final
African football will momentarily hold its breath on Sunday night, beneath the glowing lights of Rabat.
A host nation yearning to end a five-decade wait for continental glory meets a powerhouse determined to further cement its place among Africa’s elite.
The Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah will provide the stage as Morocco face Senegal in the final of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, a fitting conclusion to a tournament that has celebrated Africa’s quality.
It is a final shaped by history, ambition and belief. For 90 decisive minutes, continental pride and destiny will collide.
When the final whistle sounds in Rabat, Africa will crown its champion. Only one ambition will be fulfilled.
Pre-Match Stat
Senegal will contest their fourth AFCON final and their first since winning the title in 2021. Morocco, meanwhile, are appearing in their second AFCON final and their first since 2004.
When Morocco last lifted the trophy in 1976, the final stage was played in a round-robin format, with no single final match.
This will be the nations’ first meeting at AFCON, though it is their 32nd encounter overall. Senegal have recorded six wins to Morocco’s 18, with seven draws.
Their most recent meeting came at the CHAN 2024 semi-final in Uganda, where Morocco prevailed on penalties.
On Sunday night, past meetings will count for little. History awaits and only one team will seize it.
Morocco Carry the Weight of a Nation
Morocco’s last AFCON triumph dates back to 1976. Nearly half a century later, the Atlas Lions stand on the brink of ending that long wait, driven by passionate home support and the familiarity of playing on Moroccan soil.
Yet home advantage brings its own burden. Expectation hangs heavily in the air, and how Morocco manage that pressure may ultimately define the final.
“The team that naturally has the pressure is Morocco. It’s normal, we’re playing at home,” head coach Walid Regragui admitted during his pre-match press conference.
“For us, the key factor will be managing emotions. My only fear is not playing freely, putting too much pressure on ourselves and starting to think negatively.”
“This is a football match, a final: you have to play it, you have to enjoy it.”
Throughout AFCON 2025, Morocco have demonstrated an ability to suffer and still prevail.
Their semi-final victory over Nigeria, secured via penalties after a tense stalemate, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerging as the hero when it mattered most.
Senegal Arrive with Quiet Confidence
If Morocco carry emotion and expectation, Senegal arrive with calm assurance.
Over the past decade, the Lions of Teranga have built a culture of consistency, frequent semi-final appearances, consecutive finals and silverware achieved through long-term planning rather than fleeting success.
“Reaching the semi-finals has almost become the minimum for Senegal, and the final a habit,” defender Moussa Niakhaté said.
“We’ve always operated with respect, it’s part of the values instilled in us as Senegalese. At the end, there will be only one winner: either Morocco or us.”
Already champions once, having lifted the AFCON trophy in 2021, Senegal have improved on their disappointing Round of 16 exit at the previous edition in Côte d’Ivoire.
From their opening match in Morocco, they have played with authority, maturity and hunger, qualities that make them formidable opponents for the hosts.
Respect Before Rivalry
Despite the stakes, both camps have struck a tone of respect and restraint on the eve of the final.
For Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, the occasion carries significance beyond the result.
“Today, it’s the image of Africa that is at stake,” Thiaw said.
“We must not spoil it. Playing the host nation is never easy because of the crowd, but on the pitch, it’s 11 against 11.”
Thiaw is no stranger to continental success, having guided Senegal to the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) title in Algeria in 2023.
Morocco, meanwhile, are under no illusions about the size of the challenge ahead.
“Senegal will be there, with or without the crowd. They are strong. Great teams are always there at the end,” Regragui noted.
Young forward Eliesse Ben Seghir captured the emotional weight of the occasion within the Moroccan camp.
“When you’re 20 years old and you see senior players crying after qualifying for a final, you understand how important it is. It is important for them, important for the country,” he said.
Road to the AFCON 2025 Final
Morocco
- Group A: Finished top with seven points (two wins, one draw)
- Round of 16: Morocco 1–0 Tanzania
- Quarter-finals: Morocco 2–0 Cameroon
- Semi-finals: Morocco 0–0 Nigeria (won on penalties)
Senegal
- Group D: Finished top with seven points (two wins, one draw)
- Round of 16: Senegal 3–1 Sudan
- Quarter-finals: Senegal 1–0 Mali
- Semi-finals: Senegal 1–0 Egypt
