This evening, the eyes of the Moroccan public are focused on the capital, Rabat, where the Moroccan national team will play the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, held on home soil, facing Senegal in a decisive battle for a title that has been eagerly awaited for nearly fifty years.

The "Atlas Lions" are aiming to claim their second continental title in history, after their sole victory in 1976. This match also represents Morocco's second chance to reach the top of the podium since the 2003 final, which they lost to the host nation, Tunisia.

The bet on continuity

The Moroccan national team enters the match backed by a series of remarkable achievements in recent years, most notably reaching the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as well as leading the African team rankings and holding the eleventh position globally.

Morocco enters the final without any losses in the past two years, except for a single draw in the group stage against Mali, having maintained a long streak of consecutive victories, reflecting the team's technical and mental stability.

The technical staff is counting on the large anticipated crowd support at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which has a capacity of about 69,000 spectators, in an effort to leverage the home advantage and the fans to secure the victory.

Rakrak's statements

Walid Regragui, the head coach of the Moroccan national team, affirmed during the press conference ahead of the final that reaching the championship match had been a clear goal for the past two years, noting that playing on home soil in Morocco is a dream for any coach.

Rukraki emphasized that the goal is not limited to winning titles only, but also extends to establishing a culture of continuity and constant competition for continental championships. He affirmed that the match against Senegal will be very challenging, but it represents an opportunity to make new history.

Offensive brilliance and defensive solidity

Morocco's reaching the final is attributed to the outstanding performance of striker Brahim Díaz, a Real Madrid player who leads the tournament's top scorers with five goals, as well as a strong defensive system that has conceded only one goal from a penalty kick throughout the tournament.

Senegal is aiming for their second title.

On the other hand, the Senegal national team is competing in the final for the fourth time in its history, and the third time in the last four editions, aiming to win its second continental title after clinching the 2022 edition against Egypt.

The "Lions of Teranga" rely on an organized defense, having conceded only two goals in the tournament, along with the experience of their veteran star Sadio Mané, who announced that this final might be his last in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Organizational Crisis and Official Response

The hours leading up to the final witnessed limited tension, following the Senegalese federation's objection to certain organizational arrangements related to the team's arrival in Rabat, the accommodation, and the ticket allocation for the fans.

The Senegal coach confirmed that his players faced uncomfortable situations upon arrival, urging that such incidents be avoided in the future to preserve the tournament's image.

In an official response, the African Football Confederation affirmed its full commitment to its regulations, explaining that all teams were subject to the same standards, and that the concerns raised by the Senegalese team were addressed in coordination with the organizing committee, whether regarding accommodation, training grounds, or tickets.