AFCON 2025 Final Preview: Senegal vs. Morocco

Pulse Sports Team 19:27 - 16 January 2026

Sunday’s AFCON final at Stade Moulay Abdellah sets the stage for an interesting showdown between Senegal and hosts Morocco, two teams whose recent rise has placed them among Africa’s elite.

Both progressed through the tournament with near-identical records, combining defensive organisation with decisive moments in the knockout rounds. Senegal edged Egypt in the semi-finals, with Sadio Mane once again proving to be the hero for the Teranga Lions. Morocco, meanwhile, stopped what would have been an all West African final by putting up a fine defensive performance which the Super Eagles squad had no answer to.

With contrasting AFCON histories and little separating them statistically, the final promises a closely fought contest worthy of the tournament’s climax.

Road To the Final

Senegal

The Lions of Teranga topped their group with seven points, scoring seven goals and conceding just once, a balance that has defined their campaign. Their semi-final win over Egypt - a third high stakes win over the Pharaohs in 5 years - further underlined that control and efficiency, as they dominated possession (65%), limited Egypt to just 1 shot on target, and found the breakthrough through Sadio Mané in a disciplined 1–0 victory.

Tactically, Senegal has impressed under Pape Thiaw, whose flexible 4-3-3 system often shifts into a compact 4-5-1 when defending. That structure has allowed Senegal to remain solid at the back while still posing a consistent counter-attacking threat. Their midfield control has been a key factor, protecting the defense and providing space for attacking players to operate.

Mané remains central to the team’s ambitions. The Al Nassr forward has contributed two goals and three assists in the tournament, taking his AFCON career tally to a record 20 goal involvements. While no longer at his peak, his influence in big moments remains high. With Senegal unbeaten, defensively secure, and led by proven winners, they arrive in Rabat well-equipped to challenge Morocco in what promises to be their toughest test of the competition.

Morocco

The Atlas Lions topped their group with seven points, scoring six goals while conceding just once, mirroring Senegal’s record. Their semi-final against Nigeria showcased their tactical superiority as they limited Nigeria to just 2 total shots (1 on target) for 120 minutes. Meanwhile, they had 16 shots and 5 on target, with Fulham defender Calvin Bassey having to put up a world class display to ensure the Super Eagles didn’t concede. Morocco would win 4-2 in a tense penalty shootout as they reached the final for only the second time since 2004.

Under coach Walid Regragui, Morocco has displayed disciplined defensive organization and quick transitions, while exploiting wide areas to create scoring opportunities. Their midfield has effectively controlled the tempo of games, and the backline has proven exceptionally difficult to break down, conceding only one goal in six matches. Key players such as Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz, and Noussair Mazraoui have provided moments of individual quality, though the team’s strength lies in collective cohesion rather than reliance on stars alone.

This balance between defensive resilience and measured attacking threat, coupled with the fact that they’re yet to fall behind in this competition, makes Morocco an appealing 1UP pick with the best betting site in Nigeria providing the best odds for this.

With home advantage at Stade Moulay Abdellah and an unbeaten run leading into the final, Morocco are well-positioned to challenge Senegal’s potent attack, in what is expected to be a low scoring, but highly enjoyable game.

Head To Head

The historical head-to-head record between the two nations favours Morocco, who have won four of their last five meetings. Their most recent encounter ended in a 1–1 draw, with Morocco eventually prevailing in a penalty shootout.

Notably, the sides have never faced each other at the Africa Cup of Nations, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this final. While the head-to-head advantage may offer Morocco a psychological edge, tournament finals often unfold on their own terms, largely detached from historical trends.

Meetings: 31

Senegal wins: 7

Morocco wins: 18

Draws: 6

	Senegal	Morocco
Form	W-D-W-W-W-W	W-D-W-W-W-W
Goals Conceded	12	9
Goals Scored	2	1
Clean Sheets	4	5

Team News

Senegal has some concern due to the suspension of two key starters. For the second time in his career, captain Kalidou Koulibaly will miss an AFCON final, having also been absent from the 2021 victory over Egypt. Interestingly, some view this as a good omen for Senegal seeing as they won without him 5 years ago. The former Chelsea centre-back was substituted during their semi-final victory over Egypt after picking up an injury, but prior to that he had picked up a second booking of the knockout stages, confirming a one-match suspension that ruled him out of the final regardless of his fitness.

Habib Diarra, who has been an exceptional worker for the West Africans in midfield, is also suspended after being booked in the same game. The Teranga Lions will therefore lean on their squad depth, with Mamadou Sarr expected to be preferred in defence ahead of Abdoulaye Seck, while Lamine Camara is widely tipped to replace Diarra in midfield. For Morocco, Romain Saïss and Sofyan Amrabat, both of whom are not starters, are also unavailable due to injury.

Expected Line-Ups

Senegal: Mendy | Diatta - Sarr - Niakhate - Diouf | Camara - Idrissa Gueye - Pape Gueye | Ndiaye - Jackson - Mane (4-3-3)

Morocco: Bono | Hakimi - Aguerd - Masina - Mazraoui | El Aynaoui - Saibari - El Khannouss | Diaz - El Kaabi - Ezzalzouli (4-3-3)

Key Players: Sadio Mané and Malick Diouf vs. Brahim Díaz and Achraf Hakimi

The final of this AFCON features a unique scenario, with key players on both sides set to come up directly against each other, setting the stage for an incredible showdown. On Senegal’s left side, African football icon Sadio Mané is paired with the promising left-back Malick Diouf. Both have been outstanding throughout the tournament, with many tipping them for inclusion in the Team of the Tournament.

While Mané is years removed from the explosive winger he once was, he has leaned heavily on his experience, often dropping deeper to operate more as a playmaker. With three assists and two goals in the competition - including the fierce strike in the semi-final that proved decisive - he has become the first player in AFCON history to reach 20 goal involvements. Malick Diouf has been equally impressive, particularly in the semi-final where he kept Mohamed Salah quiet for long periods. He made a match-high 10 clearances in that game, more than the entire Egyptian team combined (7). The West Ham defender will be keen to replicate that display on Sunday.

On Morocco’s right side, the hosts boast tournament top scorer Brahim Díaz (5 goals) alongside reigning African Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi, who, despite missing a few games due to injury, has created 10 chances - the most by a Moroccan in this tournament. Given the attacking quality of this pairing, the Atlas Lions’ build-up play has naturally been channelled down that flank, an approach that has yielded consistent success throughout the tournament. Against the Super Eagles in the semi-final, they did, however, show another side to their game, putting up an outstanding defensive shift which limited Nigeria to just 2 shots in 120 minutes

If Senegal is to win on Sunday, much will hinge on keeping Hakimi penned in his half while limiting Díaz’s influence in the final third - tasks that will fall largely to Mané and Diouf. Conversely, if the hosts are to end their 50-year wait for a continental title, they will need to restrict Mané’s playmaking while ensuring Diouf is kept under pressure, a responsibility that rests with Hakimi and Díaz. As a result, a fascinating tactical battle awaits in the final.

By The Numbers

Sadio Mane is the first player to reach 20 goal involvements at AFCON (11 goals, 9 assists).
Senegal has kept 18 clean sheets in 27 AFCON games over the last five editions.
Senegal is in its third AFCON final in the last four editions.
Morocco hasn’t conceded from open play in this AFCON.
Morocco has never fallen behind in this tournament.
Yassine Bounou’s 5 clean sheets in 6 games for Morocco is one shy of the tournament record - 6 by Cameroon's Alioum Boukar (2002).
Since the introduction of the Round of 16 in 2019, Morocco is the third team to reach an AFCON final after conceding just one goal in six matches, alongside Senegal in 2019 and Egypt in 2021.
Morocco have registered 87 shots at goal, the second most at the tournament, with only Senegal (94) recording more.