Africa’s top two ranked sides meet on the Grand Stage
After a month of football and the celebration of African culture, the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations comes to a fitting end this Sunday, January 18, as top two seeds — Morocco and Senegal face off in the grand finale. This tournament has lived up to its billing as a showcase of continental excellence, and now the journey that began with 24 hopeful nations has been narrowed down to two teams.
A Historic Encounter
The game will be played in Rabat for what is, remarkably, the first-ever meeting between these two sides in an AFCON tournament. Despite their status as the continent’s highest-ranked sides, they have never crossed paths on stage until now. Historically, Morocco holds the definitive edge in their overall rivalry; across 32 total meetings—mostly consisting of friendlies and qualifiers—the Atlas Lions have secured 18 victories compared to Senegal’s 7, with 7 matches ending in a stalemate.
The Journey to the Final
Senegal reached this point through a masterclass in resilience. After topping Group D, the Taranga Lions navigated a physical knockout phase by defeating Sudan and Mali. Their semi-final was a tactical battle against Egypt, eventually decided by a 78th-minute moment of brilliance from Sadio Mané.
The host nation, Morocco, has ridden a wave of intense national fervor, conceding only one goal throughout the entire competition. After dominating Group A made up of: Mali, Comoros and Zambia, then dispatching Cameroon in the quarter-finals, they survived a scoreless semi-final against Nigeria, eventually triumphing 4–2 in a penalty shootout that sent the home crowd into the final.
Pre-Match Voices
Confidence is high in both camps, though the approaches differ. Morocco coach Walid Regragui has called for “humility and composure,” noting that while the fans provide a massive advantage, the players must manage the weight of a 50-year title drought. Senegal’s Pape Thiaw, meanwhile, leaned into his team’s experience, stating that his players possess the “habit of winning” these matches. Sadio Mané echoed this determination, noting that while the team will miss their suspended captain Kalidou Koulibaly, they are prepared to “play for him” and defend their crown in a hostile environment.
Players to Watch and Key Absences
The individual battle to watch will be between Morocco’s Brahim Díaz and Senegal’s Sadio Mané. Díaz has been the spark of the tournament with five goals, while Mané remains the heartbeat of the Senegalese attack, having created 18 chances so far. The tactical narrative will be shaped by how Senegal adjusts its backline to compensate for the absence of Koulibaly, likely handing a massive responsibility to the young Mamadou Sarr.
Match Officials and Expected Lineups
CAF has confirmed that the experienced Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala will take charge of the whistle. Known for his authoritative style, Ndala brings a sense of continuity to the final, having also officiated the tournament’s opening match.
Senegal Projected XI (4-3-3): Edouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta, Mamadou Sarr, Moussa Niakhate, El Hadji Malick Diouf; Lamine Camara, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye; Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mané.
Morocco Projected XI (4-1-4-1): Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Adam Masina, Noussair Mazraoui; Neil El Aynaoui; Brahim Díaz, Bilal El Khannouss, Ismael Saibari, Abde Ezzalzouli; Ayoub El Kaabi.
