Morocco will rely on passionate home support as they prepare to face Senegal in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final, with the hosts aiming to lift the continental title for the first time in 50 years.
As favourites on home soil, the Atlas Lions carry the weight of expectation as they attempt to cap a remarkable rise with silverware.
The Moroccans entered the tournament as Africa’s leading national team following their historic run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar in 2022. Ranked 11th in the world and above Italy in the global standings, Morocco have not tasted defeat since their elimination by South Africa at the 2024 Cup of Nations. Led by African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi, the hosts have been widely tipped to go all the way.
However, that status has also intensified the pressure on Walid Regragui’s side in a tournament that uniquely began in one year and concludes in another. Morocco have played every match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where early frustration from supporters during the group stage has given way to growing belief as results improved.
Convincing victories over Cameroon in the quarter-finals and a tense penalty shootout triumph against Nigeria in the semi-finals have set the stage for a dramatic finale. Close to 70,000 fans are expected to fill the stadium, all hoping to witness a long-awaited moment of glory.
“I think we deserve to be in the final. We have played top teams like Mali, Cameroon and Nigeria, and now we will be facing another of the best teams,” Regragui said. “Eventually people are going to accept that Morocco are actually a major football nation. But to go to the next step we have to win titles, so Sunday’s match is really important in terms of our history.”
Despite Morocco’s recent progress, their record at the Africa Cup of Nations remains modest. Regragui himself featured in the last Moroccan team to reach the final in 2004, when they lost to hosts Tunisia, and the French-born coach is determined to go one step further this time.
If Morocco fall short again, speculation suggests Regragui’s future could be in doubt ahead of the World Cup. Still, the coach insists he remains confident regardless of external criticism.
“Even if we had been knocked out in the first round, that would not have prevented me from believing in myself and telling myself I am a good coach,” he said. “What I have done in the past cannot be taken away from me. I am not expecting people to give me anything. I am not claiming to be the best. The most important thing is that Morocco are in the final.”
Standing in Morocco’s way are Senegal, Africa’s second-highest-ranked side and finalists for the third time in four AFCON editions. After losing the 2019 final to Algeria, the Lions of Teranga claimed their maiden title in 2022 by defeating Egypt on penalties before suffering a last-16 exit in 2024.
Senegal have responded strongly, reaching the final once again after eliminating Egypt in the semi-finals thanks to a decisive goal from Sadio Mane. The squad is packed with experience, though age is a factor, with Mane, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gana Gueye all between 33 and 36.
Mane has already hinted that this final will mark his last appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“I am a soldier of the nation, and I try to give my all every day, whether in training or in matches,” Mane said. “But that’s not the most important thing for me. The most important thing is to bring this cup to Dakar.”
Senegal will be without Koulibaly due to suspension, a significant setback in a final expected to be tightly contested between two of the tournament’s strongest defensive units. With both teams conceding just three goals each so far, the outcome may hinge on composure rather than flair.
