The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium came alive on Sunday evening as the Africa Cup of Nations closing ceremony took centre stage ahead of the final between Senegal and hosts Morocco.
With the stands already filling and anticipation building for the decisive match, organisers delivered a carefully choreographed spectacle designed to mark the end of a month-long celebration of African football.
The ceremony unfolded against a backdrop of elaborate staging, sweeping choreography and high-tech lighting effects that transformed the stadium into a canvas of colour and movement.
Morocco, hosting the tournament, used the occasion to showcase African unity and cultural pride.
Performers moved in synchrony across the pitch, blending music, dance and visual storytelling to reflect the diversity and shared heritage of the continent.
The production placed strong emphasis on symbolism, with coordinated routines and lighting sequences creating a festive atmosphere worthy of the tournament’s conclusion.
Internationally renowned artists featured as part of the programme, adding further weight to the event and underlining the global appeal of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Their performances were woven into the ceremony’s broader narrative, ensuring that music and culture complemented the sporting drama still to come later in the evening.
The closing ceremony served as a prelude to the 19th edition’s final, heightening emotions among supporters from both Senegal and Morocco.
For many fans inside the stadium, the event offered a final opportunity to savour the pageantry of the competition before attention shifted fully to the match itself.
Outside the venue, millions more followed every moment through live broadcasts.
The spectacle was transmitted live across multiple platforms, including Canal+ CAN, beIN Sports, New World Sport, RTS 1, Arryadia TV and national broadcasters, allowing viewers across Africa and beyond to share in the moment.
The wide coverage reflected the tournament’s reach and the importance attached to the closing ceremony as a showcase event in its own right.
As the final preparations were completed on the pitch, the ceremony gradually drew to a close, handing the spotlight back to football.
The atmosphere inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium remained electric, with the crowd primed for the clash between two of the continent’s most formidable teams.
After weeks of competition, drama and standout performances, the closing ceremony provided a fitting send-off for AFCON 2025, blending sport, culture and entertainment in a single display.
With celebrations complete, all eyes turned to the final itself, where Senegal and Morocco prepared to write the last chapter of the tournament.
