The Moroccan government has taken the rare step of postponing national school examinations to allow pupils and students to follow Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Moroccan Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports confirmed that exams scheduled for Monday 19 January will now take place 24 hours later, on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 January.
The decision was taken after authorities acknowledged the exceptional public interest surrounding Morocco’s appearance in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, a moment many citizens — particularly younger generations — are experiencing for the first time.
Balancing education and a historic occasion
According to the ministry, the move is intended to balance academic requirements with what it described as “exceptional national circumstances”, while safeguarding the wellbeing and concentration of learners.
Officials noted that the timing of the examinations clashed directly with the final, and that widespread public engagement with the match would have made normal academic conditions difficult to maintain.
The ministry added that the adjustment reflects the scale of national momentum surrounding the Atlas Lions’ run to the final.
A first final in more than two decades
Morocco are appearing in the Africa Cup of Nations final for the first time since 2004, when they were beaten by Tunisia.
Their return to the continental showpiece, on home soil, has generated unprecedented enthusiasm across the country.
Former youth and sports minister Mohamed Ouzzine had earlier called on the authorities to take public sentiment into account, pointing out that many students have never witnessed Morocco contest an AFCON final.
Anticipation builds in Rabat
Sunday’s final will be staged at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where a sold-out crowd is expected.
Demand for tickets has been intense, with remaining seats changing hands at inflated prices on the secondary market, underlining the scale of anticipation ahead of the match against Senegal.
As Morocco prepares for one of the most significant sporting nights in its history, the government’s decision highlights how football — at its highest level — can transcend the pitch and shape national life.
