By McGeorge Mbare
The battle for continental football supremacy culminates in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, as host nation Morocco takes on Senegal at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, 18 January 2026 for the 35th edition.
Morocco’s route to the final has been built on consistency and defensive solidity. The Atlas Lions began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Comoros, followed by a 1-1 draw against Mali and a convincing 3-0 victory over Zambia in the group stage.
Atlas Lions edged past Tanzania 1-0 in the round of 16, dispatched Cameroon 2-0 in the quarter-finals and held their nerve in a dramatic semi-final, overcoming Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to secure a place in the final.
Backed by the home crowd, the Atlas Lions have a golden opportunity to rewrite their history and are just 90 minutes away from ending their 50-year AFCON title drought.
Meanwhile Senegal , have once again underlined their status as one of Africa’s most formidable sides.
The Lions of Teranga opened their group stage with dominant 3-0 wins over Botswana and Benin, with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo sandwiched in between. They continued their steady progress by defeating Sudan 3-1 in the round of 16, edging Mali 1-0 in the quarter-finals before seeing off Egypt by the same scoreline in the semi-final.
The Lions of Teranga ‘s 2025 AFCON final marks their third appearance at this stage in the last four editions, having done it in 2019, where they lost to Algeria, won it in 2021 against Egypt and 2026 they face the host Morocco.
Morocco is currently the FIFA-ranked best team in Africa, while Senegal is ranked the second-best African team, hence the AFCON final is about more than just the title but about the pride of the two golden generation squads.