Tonight, Casablanca hosts Egypt vs Nigeria—the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations’s third place play-off. Considering the pedigree of some of the players, it can be considered the final that never was. But, if the residents of Morocco’s largest city feel aggrieved that they get to host only the so-called loser’s final, they cannot be blamed. After all, Casablanca is home to the two biggest clubs in the country—Wydad and Raja—and their rivalry—the Casablanca Derby—is famous around the football world.
However, the capital—Rabat—enjoys royal patronage and the bigger Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. That is not to say Rabat does not have any footballing pedigree. It is home to ASFAR, regarded the third power in Morocco’s football ecosystem and the only club to challenge the Casablanca dominance. FUS Rabat may not have the mass following of the bigger clubs, but it had one important fan: Prince Moulay Abdallah himself (the stadium, named after him, is spelt differently).
More significantly, the newly built stadium in Rabat has been confirmed as a venue for the 2030 World Cup. So, the AFCON final, which it will host on January 18, will be like a first rehearsal. Also, the fiercely passionate Casablanca crowd is not likely to stew over losing the final as the game itself is almost certain to have captured their imagination. The home team, ranked 11—the highest ranked African team—is taking on Senegal, ranked 19 (second in Africa). It is the continent's best defence against its most clinical attack. The script could not be any more perfect; win and Morocco ends a 50-year wait for the AFCON title.
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The Atlas Lions have built their tournament run on their defence and their imperious goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who became a household name at Qatar 2022. The 6’5” keeper has enhanced his reputation by keeping five clean sheets in six matches till the semifinal. The only goal he has conceded was a penalty.
In the attack, Real Madrid's Brahim Díaz has scored five goals and is leading the race for the golden boot (Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen are both on four ahead of the third place play-off). But, the team’s most important player is Achraf Hakimi, the captain and currently the best right-back in the world. In the final, Senegal’s talisman Sadio Mane will be up against Hakimi and this could be the match-defining duel.
While Hakimi is known for his attacking runs, Mane, now 33, thrives in the space left by attacking fullbacks. Therefore, Hakimi, 27, will have to be careful not to give too much freedom to the opposing captain. On the other hand, being too cautious is also going to be a problem. If he stays back, Mane will remain in the advanced areas too much and Morocco’s attack will also be denied the crucial width that Hakimi offers. So, he has to try to push on when his team has the momentum to try and force Mane to track back. If he is caught out of position, he has to call upon his midfield to cover him.
Morocco will try to control the pace of the game. But, it will be easier said than done. In recent years, Senegal has become the gold standard of consistency in Africa. The Teranga Lions are appearing in their third final in the last four editions of AFCON—they won in 2021. Till the semifinals this time, they scored 12 goals, while conceding only two. So, the team also has the defensive ability to go with its attacking prowess.
However, there is a major blow on that front. Senegal will be without captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who is suspended for the final. Though the 34-year-old has fallen from his place at the top of the global game, he is continues to be vital to the national team and his absence is a significant blow to their defensive spine. But, even without Koulibaly Senegal have the tournament experience to get the job done.
There were some impressing performances from the Arab teams in this edition of the AFCON. Sudan exceeded expectations by reaching the round of 16 before losing to Senegal. Tunisia advanced from a tricky group before being eliminated in a shootout. Algeria lost to Nigeria in the quarterfinals. Egypt, who were in bad shape coming in, managed to get to the semifinals, beating reigning champions Ivory Coast along the way, only to lose to Senegal. Now, Senegal once again stands in the way of an Arab team’s glory.
The final, in a stadium built to support Morocco's football evolution, will determine where it now stands in the region. Maghreb pride and the country’s global sporting ambitions are on the line.