The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, the continent’s most prestigious tournament was held in Morocco, with Senegal emerging as the eventual winners of the showpiece in the North African country.
The 35th edition of the AFCON which run from December 21, 2025 through to January 18, 2026 featured 24 countries, where the teams showcased high-quality football to the world. It was the second time staging the tournament in Morocco, having previously hosted the CAF’s elite competition in 1988 after CAF stripped off Guinea the right due to inadequate preparation.
At the tournament, there were 24 teams split into six groups of four, with the top two teams progressing from each group. Besides, the four best third-placed teams advanced to the round 16 rounds, leading up to quarter-finals, semis, and the final.
The highly-competitive tournament were played across nine stadium in six Moroccan Cities including, Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes and Tangier.
The AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was indeed dramatic and controversial, where the Taranga Lions walked-off in protest of a last-minute penalty awarded to the Atlas Lions. The penalty, which was awarded after a VAR review, was missed by Morocco’s Brahim Díaz.
However, Senegal went on to win the match in extra time, with Pape Gueye emerging as the hero in the match with his solitary strike.
With Senegal winning the title for the second time in history, Morocco missed the opportunity to end their 50-year trophy drought as they finished second at the end of the tournament.
Besides, Nigeria defeated Egypt on penalties to secure the bronze medal feat, while the Pharaohs placed fourth spot.
In total, the countries that qualified for AFCON 2025 were Morocco, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Algeria, DR Congo, Senegal, Egypt, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, South Africa, Gabon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Zambia, Mali, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Sudan, Benin, Tanzania, Botswana, and Mozambique.
Together, these nations delivered a tournament that lived up to AFCON’s reputation for intensity, unpredictability, and unforgettable football moments, even as Senegal ultimately emerged as champions.
