Senegal vs Morocco: Preview, History, Team News, Time and Where to Watch AFCON 2025 Final

On Sunday night in Rabat, the world of African football will turn its gaze to a monumental clash.

A host nation desperate to end a nearly 50-year title drought will face a reigning powerhouse determined to solidify its legacy among the continent's greats.

The Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah is the stage for the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), where hosts Morocco will take on Senegal in a match that promises to write a new chapter in the tournament's storied history.

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This grand finale pits two of Africa's premier footballing nations against each other. Bound by a shared history and mutual respect, their ambitions will diverge for 90 minutes of decisive action. After a month of thrilling competition that has highlighted the quality of African football, the tournament is set for a fitting conclusion.

Morocco has not claimed the AFCON trophy since its sole victory in 1976. Now, nearly half a century later, the Atlas Lions are on the verge of ending that long wait, spurred on by fervent home support and the advantage of familiar surroundings.

However, this home-field advantage brings immense pressure. The expectations of an entire nation rest on the team's shoulders, and while the roar of the crowd can inspire belief, managing the pressure will be crucial.

"The team that naturally has the pressure is Morocco. It’s normal—we’re playing at home," head coach Walid Regragui acknowledged in 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 the tournament, Morocco has demonstrated a knack for grinding out results under intense pressure. Their semi-final win over Nigeria on penalties showcased their resilience and composure, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerging as the hero of the night.

In the opposite corner, Senegal enters the final with the calm assurance of a team well-versed in high-stakes encounters. Over the last decade, the Lions of Teranga have cultivated a culture of consistency, marked by regular semi-final appearances, back-to-back finals, and a trophy that reflects long-term strategy over fleeting success.

For Senegal, reaching the latter stages of the AFCON is now an expectation, not a surprise. "Reaching the semi-finals has almost become the minimum for Senegal, and the final a habit," stated defender Moussa Niakhaté.

"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."

As the 2021 champions, Senegal has already improved upon its performance from the previous edition in Côte d’Ivoire, where they were eliminated in the Round of 16. From their first match in Morocco, they have displayed the pedigree, hunger, and maturity that make them a formidable challenge for the hosts.

On the eve of the final, both camps have expressed a tone of mutual respect and recognition. Senegal's head coach, Pape Thiaw, emphasized that the occasion transcends the final score.

"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 led Senegal to the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) title in Algeria in 2023. Morocco, in turn, is fully aware of the threat posed by the Teranga Lions.

When the final whistle blows in Rabat, Africa will crown its champion. Both teams are vying for a second continental title: one fueled by a nation's long-held dream and the other by a legacy of sustained excellence. Only one will emerge victorious.

This final marks a significant moment for both nations. Senegal will be competing in their fourth AFCON final, their first since their 2021 appearance. For Morocco, this is only their second final and their first since 2004. The Atlas Lions' sole AFCON title in 1976 was won in a round-robin format without a final match.

Surprisingly, this will be the first-ever Africa Cup of Nations encounter between the two teams. In their 31 previous meetings across all competitions, Morocco holds a clear advantage with 18 wins to Senegal's six, with seven matches ending in a draw.

Their most recent clash was in the CHAN 2024 semi-final, where Morocco emerged victorious after a penalty shootout.

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra is suspended due to accumulation of yellow cards. Meanwhile, Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi has been sidelined for the rest of the competition with a calf injury while defender Romain Saiss sustained a muscle injury in the tournament opener which ruled him out of the rest of AFCON 2025.

The match will kick off at 10pm Kenyan time and will be live on SuperSport TV and Azam TV for those in Kenya.

Senegal possible XI: Mendy; Diatta, Sarr, Niakhate, Diouf; Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; Ndiaye, Jackson, Mane

Morocco possible XI: Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui; Diaz, El Khannouss, Saibari, Ezzalzouli; El Kaabi