Senegal vs Morocco: Can the Hosts Hoist the 2025 AFCON Title?
by Geoffrey Ejiga | by Cydias Aujard
Morocco's 50-Year Wait: Will the Atlas Lions Reclaim the Crown?
It was in 1976 that Morocco last won the AFCON title. And now, after half a century, they've reached the finals and are the favourites to win in their backyards. If the Atlas Lions do eventually become champions, they'd have deserved every bit of it after the performances they've pulled so far.
Morocco just knocked out last year's runners-up, Nigeria, from the semifinal. Although the victory was on penalties, they absolutely dominated the Super Eagles, keeping Nigeria to just two shots in 120 minutes, while pumping 16 of their own that failed to go in.
That 0-0 full-time draw has now seen the Atlas Lions concede only a single goal up until this final. But an even more interesting fact is that the Morocco senior team haven't lost a single game since South Africa eliminated them in the RO16 of this very tournament two years ago.
Morocco has since risen to become Africa's current highest-ranked team (11th), even setting a new world record for most wins in a row (16), breaking Brazil’s 13. Understandably, the top betting sites all favour Morocco to lift the cup.
However, if there's any team that could defeat this current Atlas Lions squad, it's the Lions of Teranga. Interestingly, this will be the first meeting in an AFCON tournament throughout their long histories. And what better way to do it than in a high-stakes winner-takes-all final?
Will Senegal's Quest for Second Title in Four Years End in Victory?
Senegal has been a dominant force in the AFCON for the past seven years. They narrowly lost the 2019 final 1-0 to Algeria, conquered the continent in 2021 by defeating Egypt, and have now returned for the 2025 final against Morocco. That's three finals in the past four editions!
What makes Senegal an even more dangerous matchup than Nigeria for Morocco is their incredible balance and strength between defence, midfield, and attack.
Looking at the stats, the Lions of Teranga are 2nd in goals scored (12), fewest goals conceded (2), big chances created (20), ball possession (63.0%), and in clean sheets (4). Senegal also takes the second-highest shots per game (15.7) and has the most on target (7.8), which Morocco's defence must be wary of, no matter how strong.
Even Egypt, the seven-time AFCON winners, were kept to only 3 shots and 37% possession against Senegal in the semifinal. Unlike Nigeria who had a disjointed middle that hindered their attacking plans against Morocco, Senegal is quite comfortable on the ball and in creating chances for forwards Mane, Jackson, and Ndiaye.
For Morocco, Senegal will definitely be their toughest game of the tournament so far. Make sure to check our Senegal vs Morocco prediction before betting on this game!
Key Players to Watch in the AFCON Final
Nigeria may have kept him quiet in the semifinal, but Senegal might not be so lucky when they face Brahim Diaz on Sunday.
The Real Madrid star leads the Golden Boot race with five goals spread over five of his six tournament games so far. Diaz has been the Atlas Lions’ main goal threat in this tournament and is responsible for more than half of Morocco's nine goals.
Locking up Morocco's entire right flank will be key to winning this game, as Achraf Hakimi, the reigning African Player of the Year, operates just behind Diaz, often overlapping and splitting defences on his own.
But for Morocco, it's the entire Senegal frontline they must keep in check. They have Sadio Mane coming in from the left, Nicolas Jackson between the defenders, and Everton's Iliman Ndiaye running down the right.
Al Nassr's Mane is especially the one to watch. He has scored only two goals, but very crucial ones. The first kept Senegal unbeaten in their 1-1 draw against Congo, and the latest was the winner against Egypt in the last round. Three more assists put him on the same G/A as Brahim Diaz (5), making Mane a legitimate contender for player of the tournament if Senegal wins the AFCON Title.
