AFCON 2025 | Final: Morocco vs Senegal | Preview and Prediction

From immaculate vibes to iconic fans, from feverish ecstasy to heart-wrenching agony, and from brutally physical slugfests to jaw-dropping flair, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has been the gift that keeps on giving. However, we’re now down to the last two standing teams from what started off as a 24-team affair.

In the final, hosts Morocco are set to lock horns with the highly talented Senegal, both vying for the right to be crowned champions of Africa. 

Here, we present our preview for the all-important AFCON 2025 final.

Africa Cup of Nations 2025 | Final: Morocco vs Senegal | 00:30, 19 January 2026

For the hosts, this tournament has been anything but smooth. From the outset, there was a huge burden of expectations on the players, which was constantly magnified by the droves of fans who have been accustomed to success following their heroics at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The fact that this is their home tournament has only added more pressure, and that was quite visible in their first few fixtures.

For quite a significant stretch of the tournament, Morocco looked like outsiders in their home tournament. They were getting the results required to qualify, but there were murmurs and silent grumbles among fans, who wanted to see their side take each game by the scruff of the neck, but that was something the Atlas Lions were unable to do.

In all honesty, Morocco for the most part looked and played like a team who last won an AFCON title five decades ago, which visibly and significantly weighed them down. It’s hard to believe the outrage that was hurled at a team who have lost just four times in their last 46 games, but here we were.

And then, the quarter-finals happened. Against Cameroon, Morocco finally turned up. It was like they remembered this was their party, and they rocked up in style. Limbs of lead gave way to feet of silk, and they once again started prancing and purring like they were the belle of the ball. Cameroon were dispatched with comfort and class, with Morocco stamping their credentials as potential champions.

Against Nigeria in the semi-finals, out came their robust, physical, and combative side as Morocco stifled the goal machine Victor Osimhen and took the game to penalties, where the ever-reliable Yassine Bounou took over to send them to their first final since 2004.

Morocco have quality all the way across the pitch, but it’s Brahim Díaz who has been the heart and soul of this side. From scoring in all games until the quarter-finals and making the right side his own, the 26-year-old has become Morocco’s man Friday this tournament, and once again it will be up to him to carry the hopes and dreams of his nation on Sunday. He will be ably supported by his captain, Achraf Hakimi, experienced striker Youssef En-Nesyri, and the colossus Yassine Bounou between the sticks.

As far as their opponents are concerned, Senegal have had a rather straightforward tournament so far, with each passing performance showing why they stake a claim to be arguably one of the continent’s greatest football sides. The depth in personnel, the quality of football, and the smoothness of performances in each of their games have only rubber-stamped their credentials as pre-tournament favourites, despite a couple of scares on the way.

Their performance in the semi-final was a complete battle of attrition. Against Egypt, it was a slugfest of the highest order, with fouls and injury-faking galore. But in the end, it was the Teranga Lions who prevailed, having once again struck the dagger into Egyptian hearts in a knockout setting for the third time in the space of four years.

The 2021 champions are stacked with quality in every position, but it’s their old warhorse Sadio Mané who is the linchpin of this side. He may not be the same wizard that he was in his pomp, but he can still influence games and create impact when needed, as his winner in the semi-final can attest. However, Senegal will probably be without the services of their defensive leader and captain, Kalidou Kouliabaly, who was taken off in the first half of the semi-final due to an abductor injury, and midfielder Habib Diarra, who will miss the final due to suspension.

Both the teams have made the final on merit, justifying the tag of favourites as they stand face to face, just one match away from continental glory. It is a very close call in terms of quality, because both teams are evenly matched, are well-coached, and have options all over the pitch.

However, the hosts start as our favourites. It is their home turf, and they will be egged on by everyone from not only inside the stadium, but also from souks across Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, and Tangier.

Morocco want to cap off a home tournament with continental glory. Senegal are in pursuit of their own level of greatness. Two behemoths of African football, but only one will earn the bragging rights.

Who will it be?

Winners Prediction: Morocco
Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat