Sadio Mane-inspired Senegal aim to conquer their AFCON final jinx against hosts Morocco

On Sunday evening, the climax of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will unfold at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where Senegal faces hosts Morocco in the championship round.

Since the teams rank as the highest in Africa, this fixture could be an epic showdown, promising to be as competitive as it is thrilling, with the best talents the continent has to offer in action.

Entering the final, both nations boast unbeaten runs, although Morocco’s pathway had a dramatic twist. The hosts reached this final after a nail-biting penalty shootout against Nigeria, which rattled their home supporters but showcased their resilience.

Despite these jitters, pre-tournament predictions were largely accurate, making Morocco the favourites in their own backyard as they prepare to reclaim AFCON glory, with only Senegal standing in their way.

Senegal’s journey to the final has been commendable, characterised by a series of stand-out performances. In the semi-finals, they secured a crucial 1-0 victory over record champions Egypt, with Sadio Mane scoring the decisive goal in the 78th minute.

Senegal dominated possession throughout the match, while Egypt, entrenched in a defensive setup, managed just one shot on target in the dying moments.

The Senegalese side has faltered only once in their six matches thus far, demonstrating control and tenacity, with notable victories including their solid performance against Egypt. However, their impressive march to the final has not been without casualties.

Kalidou Koulibaly, a towering presence in defence and a leading figure in the squad, has been ruled out due to an injury sustained in the semi-finals. Adding to the challenge, midfielder Habib Diarra will be absent due to suspension, following a yellow card against Egypt.

Morocco, armed with dynamic attackers such as Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi, will aim to exploit the gaps left by Senegal’s missing key players. Together, the duo has accounted for eight of Morocco’s nine goals in the tournament, and their impact will be pivotal if Morocco hopes to lift the trophy.

Conversely, Senegal will rely on their defensive prowess to counter Morocco’s offensive manoeuvres, with the defensive partnership of Adam Masina and Nayef Aguerd expected to play a crucial role.

The statistics further illustrate the contrasting styles of these two finalists. Morocco’s matches have remained mainly tight affairs, with only one game exceeding two goals, while Senegal has had more free-flowing encounters, including three games in which they scored three goals.

It remains uncertain if that trend will continue in a high-pressure final.

As history looms large, Senegal’s struggles in previous finals may weigh heavily on their shoulders; they have failed to score in their last three appearances at this stage. Those memories might resurface as they bid to end their trophy drought.

However, a final in which either side only needs a single moment of brilliance to claim the title has every potential to swing in Morocco’s favour, particularly given their home advantage.

Despite the absence of key Senegal players, the excitement and unpredictability this match evokes will surely resonate among fans across Africa and beyond.

Will it be the Lions of Teranga that roar to victory, or will the Atlas Lions lift the trophy on home soil? Only time will elucidate the outcome of this vibrant clash.