Rabat—AFCON wraps up in Morocco, and both teams are ready to make history. Only one side gets to lift that trophy. The question of who will win the AFCON trophy will be answered on Sunday when hosts Morocco face 2021 champions Senegal in the final of AFCON Morocco 2025 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The match is the first AFCON meeting between the two nations, but it’s their 32nd overall encounter, with Morocco holding the historical edge.
Morocco and Senegal had pretty different paths to the final. The Atlas Lions owned Rabat, playing all their games there and just locking things down defensively. They were super disciplined, only letting one goal slip past them and managing five clean sheets. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has been a total standout, leading the tournament with five shutouts and becoming the hero in the semi-final penalty shootouts. Morocco’s tactics have been spot on throughout the tournament, keeping the other teams mostly in check the entire way.
Senegal’s journey was all about being consistent and deadly in attack. The Lions of Teranga managed to win five out of six matches and scored in every single one, hitting the final with a total of 12 goals, their best-ever scoring run in one AFCON.
They were tight at the back too, letting in only two goals. Now they’re on an incredible 17-game unbeaten streak in AFCON matches, which just shows how much depth and resilience this team has. They really are one of Africa’s most reliable sides. And of course, Sadio Mané has been a major player again, boosting his already impressive goal count and helping lead the charge to keep hold of their title.
Head-to-head history and what it means
Morocco hold the advantage in head-to-head meetings with 18 wins, compared to Senegal’s six, with seven draws. Morocco has won four of the last six matches, including a penalty-shootout victory over Senegal at the 2024 CHAN, where Morocco went on to reclaim the title.
However, Senegal’s ability to grind out results and perform in finals, reaching four AFCON finals since 2002, makes them a formidable opponent despite the historical record.
This final is a huge deal for both teams. Morocco hasn’t won the AFCON since 1976, when it was a round-robin format. So they’re desperate to finally lift the trophy again.
On the other side, Senegal is looking to add a second star to their jersey after finally breaking through for their first title in 2021. While they aren’t the defending champions—that was Côte d’Ivoire the last time around—the Lions of Teranga have been so consistent lately that another win would really cement their place as a dominant power in African football.
But the Senegalese Lions will have to surmount the huge pressure of Morocco playing at home. Morocco is the 15th host nation to ever reach an AFCON final, and if history repeats itself, the Atlas Lions have a great shot at a second continental glory as the last three hosts who made it this far all went on to lift the trophy.
Tactically, the final is likely to be decided by small margins. Morocco’s compact defense will be tested by Senegal’s pace and direct attacking style, while Senegal must avoid falling into the trap of overcommitting and leaving space for Morocco’s counterattacks.
With AFCON finals often decided by 1-0 or 0-0 scorelines, discipline and game management may prove decisive.
