History will loom large when Morocco walk out to face Senegal in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 on Sunday night.
With the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat expected to be packed and roaring, the Atlas Lions will not only be playing for silverware — they will be attempting to extend a powerful trend that has shaped recent African football.
Hosts with momentum on their side
Morocco are the 15th host nation to reach an AFCON final, and history suggests that could be a decisive advantage.
The last three host nations to reach the final — Tunisia in 2004, Egypt in 2006 and Côte d’Ivoire in 2023 — all went on to lift the trophy. No host has lost an AFCON final in open play since Tunisia’s extra-time defeat to Ghana in 1965.
Morocco’s journey to the final has followed a familiar pattern: defensive solidity, tactical discipline and the ability to survive high-pressure moments. They have conceded just one goal in six matches and arrive unbeaten, having edged Nigeria on penalties in the semi-finals.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has become the symbol of that resilience, keeping five clean sheets and anchoring a back line that has frustrated every opponent in Rabat.
A nation waiting nearly half a century
Morocco’s only AFCON title came in 1976, in a tournament that did not even feature a final, instead being decided by a round-robin format.
Sunday’s match therefore represents the country’s first opportunity to lift the trophy in a traditional final, and their first chance to do so on home soil.
It has been 18,208 days since Morocco were last crowned African champions — a figure that underlines the scale of expectation surrounding this final.
For head coach Walid Regragui, success would further cement his legacy after guiding Morocco to an unprecedented World Cup semi-final in Qatar in 2022, a moment that reshaped perceptions of African football worldwide.
Senegal stand in the way
Senegal, however, arrive with no intention of playing the role of supporting cast.
The reigning champions are appearing in their fourth AFCON final, and their third in the last four editions, having already conquered the continent in 2021.
Senegal’s campaign has been built on control and consistency rather than spectacle. They have scored in every match, conceded only twice, and eliminated Egypt in the semi-finals thanks to a late strike from Sadio Mané.
Unlike Morocco, Senegal have already beaten a host nation in an AFCON final — defeating Egypt on penalties in Cameroon four years ago — proof that atmosphere and occasion alone do not decide titles.
Fine margins under the Rabat lights
AFCON finals are often decided by the smallest details. Since 2002, the majority have ended either 1-0 or 0-0, with penalty shoot-outs becoming a recurring theme.
With Morocco boasting the tournament’s best defensive record and Senegal carrying the calm of champions, Sunday’s final may again hinge on a single moment — a set piece, a rebound, or a goalkeeper’s intervention.
History may favour the hosts, but Africa’s biggest prize rarely follows a script.
When the final whistle sounds in Rabat, either Morocco’s long wait will finally end — or Senegal will confirm that champions know how to win anywhere, against anyone.
