Biggest Stage, Longest Wait: Morocco chase a century of longing in the AFCON final
The Africa Cup of Nations reaches its crescendo as Morocco and Senegal square off in the final of AFCON 2025. For the Atlas Lions, the quest is simple in theory: end a 50-year national drought and claim a second continental title. For Senegal, a chance to write a new chapter in a rising era—consolidating their recent strong performances with a crowning achievement on Africa’s grandest stage.
Morocco’s journey to the final has combined disciplined defense with timely attacking moments, a template that has served them well in continental competition. The team’s resilience has been particularly evident in knockout ties, where they have weathered pressure and found goals at crucial moments. The coach’s plan has balanced the experience of veterans with the energy of younger players, creating a blend suited to both possession-based control and direct play when the moment demands it.
Senegal, on the other hand, arrive with a reputation for pace and power, backed by a bevy of players who operate at top clubs around Europe. Their path to the final has been punctuated by bold pressing, quick transitions, and a willingness to take calculated risks in the final third. The team’s midfield trinity has been pivotal, linking defense with attack and ensuring that their counter-attacks strike with speed and precision.
Key battles that could decide the trophy
At the heart of this match is a pair of high-stakes duels that could tilt the balance. Morocco’s central defense will be asked to resist Senegal’s dynamic forwards, who thrive on speed and clever runs behind the backline. Conversely, Morocco’s forwards must exploit any space behind Senegal’s back line and convert chances into clinical gold, something they have done more consistently in this tournament than in recent campaigns.
Midfield battles will also shape the tempo. Morocco’s engine-room, often built on compact pressing and quick recovery, will aim to disrupt the rhythm of Senegal’s creators, forcing turnovers high up the pitch. The Senegalese midfielders will look to win duels in the middle and release wingers or forwards at pace, testing Morocco’s defensive organization in transition.
Tactical lens: how each side could approach the finale
Morocco might lean on a compact 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 structure, emphasizing collective organization and fast breaks. The emphasis will be on denying space to Senegal’s attackers, with a focus on preventing dangerous crosses and cutting off supply lines to the danger men in the box. In attack, a blend of patient buildup and vertical passes could unlock stubborn defenses, with wide players delivering service into the box for a clinical striker or attacking midfielder to finish.
Senegal may adopt a more aggressive 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 mindset, pressing high to disrupt Morocco’s build-up and using width to stretch the Moroccan defence. The wingers’ pace and the forward’s movement will be pivotal in exploiting any slack in the Moroccan back line. Set-pieces could also play a decisive role, with both teams aware that a single moment can swing a final in a crowded stadium.
Players to watch
On the Moroccan side, a veteran presence in defense and a proven goal-scoring threat in attack could be the difference in tight moments. Their goalkeeper’s reflexes, organizational leadership, and ability to read the game will be under the spotlight. In attack, a forward with a knack for finding space between lines could unlock a stubborn Senegalese defense.
Senegal will rely on its star forwards to carry the burden of breaking through a well-drilled Moroccan defense. The midfield’s energy and the ability to transition swiftly from defense to attack could determine whether Senegal can turn even small opportunities into goals. Defensively, maintaining discipline at the back while limiting Morocco’s chances will be crucial.
A moment to savor for football fans
The 2025 AFCON final promises a narrative that transcends two teams and two nations. It is about history, identity, and the competitive spirit that defines African football. For Morocco, lifting the trophy would reconcile half a century of waiting with a new era of footballing prowess. For Senegal, victory would cement a period of sustained excellence and provide a platform for continued growth and ambition on the continental stage.
What to expect next
As the teams walk onto the field, the atmosphere will be electric. The tactical chess match will likely reveal itself early, with coaches adjusting to what they see from the others’ initial 15 minutes. The final is a chance for players to etch their names into history, and for fans to celebrate a trophy that has eluded two proud nations for decades.
Whichever team clinches AFCON 2025, the legacy will be clear: this final has the power to shape the next chapter of African football for years to come.
