Morocco is actively pursuing a friendly match against Senegal as part of its preparation plan for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), aiming to pit the Atlas Lions against some of the continent’s top teams in the lead-up to the tournament.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) remains keen on securing a fixture against the 2021 AFCON champions, with Senegal once again on their list of preferred opponents.
This is not the first time Morocco has pursued a clash with the Teranga Lions; plans for a friendly between the two nations in France last December were initially leaked but ultimately did not materialize.
Despite previous setbacks, Morocco’s determination to arrange the encounter remains strong. The appeal of a showdown between Africa’s two highest-ranked teams in the FIFA/Caf standings continues to generate interest among fans and officials alike, with the potential match promising to be a major spectacle.
According to reports from Afrik-Foot, Moroccan officials are actively working to schedule high-profile friendlies as part of their AFCON 2025 build-up.
In addition to Senegal, the FRMF has reportedly approached Ivory Coast and Nigeria—two continental heavyweights—as potential sparring partners.
The Nigerian press has confirmed that Morocco has initiated contact with the Super Eagles, the current African vice-champions, to discuss the possibility of a friendly. While no specific date has been announced, talks are ongoing.
“Morocco is clearly focused on facing the best the continent has to offer as part of their preparation,” a source close to the federation revealed.
“These matches will provide the level of competition necessary to sharpen the squad ahead of the AFCON.”
However, a match against Senegal in the immediate future appears unlikely. The Teranga Lions have already scheduled a friendly against England on June 10, limiting their availability for additional fixtures.
This match against the Three Lions, set to take place at Wembley, will see Senegal face off against one of Europe’s top sides, adding to their own rigorous pre-tournament preparations.
The upcoming England-Senegal clash is of particular interest, marking the first meeting between the two nations since the 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, where England secured a 3-0 victory.
Thomas Tuchel, England’s newly appointed head coach, emphasized the importance of such high-level friendlies in shaping his team for the 2026 World Cup.
“Games against Senegal and Wales will provide contrasting challenges for us,” Tuchel stated. “Facing a strong African side in a city with a deep footballing history, followed by a derby at Wembley, offers invaluable preparation.”
Senegal’s match against England also promises a marquee showdown between some of the continent’s biggest stars, with Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mané expected to lead the Lions’ attack.
Meanwhile, Morocco has confirmed two friendly fixtures for June, set to face Tunisia on June 7 and Benin on June 10.
Both matches will offer coach Walid Regragui the chance to assess his squad as they fine-tune tactics and team chemistry ahead of the 2025 AFCON.
The last time Morocco and Senegal met on the pitch was in October 2020 during a friendly match in Rabat, where the Atlas Lions secured a 3-1 victory.
Since then, both teams have grown in stature, making a potential rematch highly anticipated by fans and pundits alike.
For now, Morocco remains focused on securing the strongest preparation possible, seeking to test themselves against Africa’s elite and ensuring they enter the 2025 tournament in peak form.
