On Sunday, Morocco will play Senegal in the AFCON final January 18, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. This will be one of the biggest events in African football this year.
This final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be full of drama, strategy, and a historic battle between two of the continent’s most reliable teams.
Morocco, the tournament hosts, will face Senegal, the defending champions who won the trophy in 2021, in the final. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) organizes this match, which is the 35th edition of the biennial competition. It will decide who is crowned Africa’s best in 2025.
Getting to the AFCON Final
The two teams made it to the final by playing very different semifinal games. Senegal beat Egypt 1–0 thanks to a late goal from Sadio Mané. This showed their usual toughness and discipline on defense.
Morocco’s path to the AFCON final was just as exciting, but it was full of nerve-wracking drama. They drew 0–0 with Nigeria, but Yassine Bounou’s heroics in the penalty shootout helped them win 4–2 and get to the final.
Senegal has been to the AFCON finals three times before, in 2002, 2019, and 2021. They haven’t lost in their last 17 Afcon matches, scoring 12 goals and giving up only two on the way to the AFCON final.
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Morocco, on the other hand, is only playing in their second AFCON final, their first since 2004. They have only given up one goal in the tournament, which shows how strong their defense has been in getting them to the final.
Historical Significance of the AFCON Final
The upcoming AFCON final is historic for a number of reasons:
- Morocco and Senegal have played against each other many times in different football competitions, but this is the first time they have met in the AFCON final.
- Morocco wants to win their second continental title. They haven’t won one since 1976, which was 50 years ago.
- Senegal wants to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time, after winning it in 2021.
The final is also a chance for both new stars and well-known talismans to shine. This shows how African football is still changing in terms of tactics and athleticism on the world stage.
Tactical Preview: Strengths and Strategies
Senegal’s Way
Senegal has made it to the AFCON final by being balanced and efficient. Their defense has been one of the best in the tournament, allowing only two goals and keeping four clean sheets. Coach Pape Thiaw usually has them play a disciplined defense with quick transitions, which makes it possible to score on counterattacks.
Senegal will be missing a few important players in the AFCON final, including captain Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Mouhamadou Habib Diarra, who are both suspended. These players not being there could force Senegal to change their tactics and test their depth in important areas.
Sadio Mané is very important to Senegal’s chances of winning the trophy again. He is one of the best players on the team, and his speed and creativity will be key.
Morocco’s Plan for the Game
Morocco, the host country, has the best defense in the tournament, having only given up one goal and kept five clean sheets. Coach Walid Regragui’s team has been disciplined and smart with their tactics, using quick wing play and controlled possession to throw off their opponents.
Brahim Díaz and other key players have been very important for Morocco, always posing a threat to score. The Atlas Lions work together as a team and value tactical unity over individual brilliance, which makes them hard to beat.
As hosts of this year’s AFCON, Morocco has to deal with the pressure of expectations. However, their recent unbeaten streaks (26 matches, including the current tournament) suggest that they are mentally ready for the event.
Details About the Match Day
The AFCON final will start at 19:00 GMT (20:00 local time) on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, which can hold 69,500 people.
This new, modern stadium is the center of the tournament and is expected to be full of fans cheering for the home team. The AFCON final will also be available to millions of people around the world through channels like beIN Sports, SuperSport, and others.
Fans, the Mood, and the Buildup
Fans from all over the world have shared stories about how important the AFCON final is to them. Tickets are in high demand, with fans from Senegal and Morocco looking for seats all over the world. This shows how important this final has become for African football fans.
There are a lot of predictions, plans for local watch parties, and messages of support on both sides of social media threads. This shows how the AFCON final brings people together and makes them want to compete.
Interest in Broadcasting and the World
There will be a lot of coverage of the AFCON final. More than 100 TV channels and digital platforms will show the game in Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. This level of accessibility shows how popular and profitable African football is becoming. This trend is backed up by record-breaking tournament revenue and bigger media deals.
For a lot of international football fans, this AFCON final will be a chance to see some of the best young players and experienced internationals compete.
What Each Team Is Playing For
The AFCON is more than just a trophy. It’s a chance to make history, show national pride, and make your name known in African football history.
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If Morocco wins, it will be their second continental title and make the host country very proud. This is especially true since they are also getting ready to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Senegal also has big plans. As the defending champions, they go into the AFCON final with the goal of proving that they are still the best team in African football and continuing the legacy of their “golden generation.”
Conclusion: An AFCON Final That Will Go Down in History
The AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal on Sunday is sure to be a historic match with a lot of strategy and pride for Africa. This final could go down in history as one of the most exciting in recent tournament history because both teams have strong defenses, big-name players, and passionate fans.
The final is a great example of why the Africa Cup of Nations is one of the most exciting football events in the world. Will Morocco’s home field advantage and undefeated streak win out, or will Senegal’s tactical discipline and experience win out?
As the game starts on January 18, 2026, fans all over the world will be watching to see the best moment in African football: the crowning of the 2025 AFCON champions. This will be a moment that brings the continent together in sport.
