Senegal’s golden generation faces Africa’s modern powerhouse in AFCON final

The high-stake final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will pit the golden generation of Senegal against a Moroccan side that has recently established themselves as the modern powerhouse of African football.

The match, scheduled to take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams seeking for the ultimate title. Morocco are chasing their second AFCON title just as Senegal, who last won the trophy in 2021 in Cameroon.

While Senegal is considered as one of the Africa nations to have recently won the title, courtesy their 2021 triumph in Cameroon, the Atlas Lions are in the hunt of their first AFCON title in 50 years, having last won in 1976.

This marks their third AFCON final appearance after 1976 and 2004. Morocco won the title in their first final appearance before losing second attempt in 2004. The upcoming clash against Senegal is their third final appearance.

For Senegal, this marks their fourth AFCON final appearance, with their previous wins being in 2021 against Côte d’Ivoire and losses to Cameroon in 2002 and Algeria in 2019.

This is the ninth AFCON final between teams from West and North Africa. In the previous eight meetings, West African teams have triumphed four times and North African teams four times.

In the past 32 meetings between the two teams, Morocco has dominated Senegal with 18 victories, while Senegal has only recorded just six wins, with seven games ending in a draw.

Meanwhile, victory for Morocco would see host nations win back-to-back AFCON titles for the first time since 2004 and 2006, when Tunisia and Egypt were champions.