Senegal will face hosts Morocco in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 on Sunday, 18 January, in what promises to be one of the most anticipated matches in African football history.
The final will be played at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT), bringing together the reigning champions and the host nation on the grandest stage of the continent’s flagship competition.
How Senegal reached the final
Senegal arrive in the final after another composed and authoritative campaign, underlining their status as one of Africa’s dominant forces in recent years.
The Lions of Teranga topped their group with victories over Botswana and Benin, before navigating the knockout rounds with trademark discipline and efficiency.
They edged past Sudan and Mali before producing a measured semi-final performance to defeat seven-time champions Egypt 1–0 in Tangier.
That win, secured by a decisive strike from Sadio Mané, sent Senegal into their fourth AFCON final, and their first since lifting the trophy in Cameroon in 2021.
It also extended their remarkable unbeaten run at the Africa Cup of Nations to 17 matches, a testament to their consistency at the highest level.
Morocco’s historic home charge
Morocco, meanwhile, have written a compelling home story in Rabat, reaching the AFCON final for the first time since 2004 and only the second time in their history.
The Atlas Lions progressed steadily through the tournament, combining defensive solidity with moments of attacking quality.
After overcoming Mali in the group stages and eliminating Cameroon in the quarter-finals, Morocco produced a dramatic semi-final display against Nigeria.
That contest ended goalless after 120 minutes before goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the hero in a penalty shoot-out victory, sending the hosts into the final amid scenes of jubilation in the capital.
Morocco have conceded just one goal in six matches, kept five clean sheets, and will now aim to end a 49-year wait for a second continental title, having last been crowned champions in 1976.
A final loaded with history and expectation
Sunday’s final is notable not only for the quality of the teams involved, but also for its historical significance.
It will be the first AFCON meeting between Senegal and Morocco, despite the nations having faced each other 31 times in other competitions.
It is also a classic West Africa vs North Africa showdown, a rivalry that has split past AFCON finals evenly between the two regions.
With Senegal seeking a second title in five years, and Morocco chasing glory on home soil in front of a passionate Rabat crowd, all the elements are in place for a final defined by tension, fine margins and continental pride.
AFCON 2025 Final – Match details
Final: Senegal vs Morocco
Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026
Venue: Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat
Kick-off: 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT)
Africa’s biggest football night now awaits, as champions meet hosts in a final that will shape the legacy of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.
