Walid Regragui and Pape Thiaw stand at the heart of a landmark AFCON final that celebrates the growing trust in African coaches on the continent’s biggest stage.
Their meeting in Rabat confirms that the tactical and emotional leadership once routinely outsourced to Europeans is now firmly in local hands.
Walid Regragui is the second Moroccan coach to guide the Atlas Lions to an AFCON final, following Ezzaki Badou, who fell just short in 2004. After leading Morocco to a World Cup semifinal in 2022, Regragui now chases a first AFCON crown for his country since 1976, with a squad built largely from players who have grown used to the weight of expectation.
On the opposite bench, Pape Thiaw continues Senegal’s golden era, steering the Lions of Teranga into yet another continental showpiece. He already owns one CAF title as Senegal coach, having guided his home-based side to victory over hosts Algeria in the 2022 CHAN final, and now seeks to add a full AFCON to that legacy.
This final is more than a trophy decider; it is a powerful endorsement of African tactical minds. Both federations resisted the temptation to appoint European managers and have been rewarded with disciplined, courageous teams that mirror the personalities of their local coaches.
Regragui’s Morocco mix defensive structure with expressive wide play, while Thiaw’s Senegal balance physical power with calm game management in high‑pressure moments. Their success offers a model for other African nations looking to trust and invest in their own.
The 2025 AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal will be played at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with kick‑off at 19:00 GMT. The whole world will be watching this final.
