AFCON Final Preview

AFCON Final Preview

Under the lights of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, AFCON 2026 reaches its final chapter tonight, and it doesn’t get bigger than this.

The semi-finals delivered chaos, drama, and two heavyweight moments that will live long in the memory. Sadio Mané struck the killer blow to send Mohamed Salah and Egypt crashing out, while the hosts Morocco held out for 120 breathless minutes against Nigeria before holding their nerve in a penalty shootout that shook the whole nation.

Now, it’s Senegal vs Morocco for the crown.

The AFCON final is set:

🇸🇳 Senegal vs. Morocco 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/8y7uMIWpHF

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 14, 2026

Senegal arrive with experience, champions in 2021, Meanwhile, Morocco carry the weight of history. Their last AFCON triumph came back in 1976, but with a roaring home crowd behind them, this could finally be the night the trophy comes back where they believe it belongs.

So how did we get here? Who’s risen to the moment, who’s survived the storm, and who’s ready to write their name into African football folklore?

Senegal vs Morocco. The AFCON Final. Grab the popcorn. This one’s going to be special.

Senegal's Story

The Lions of Teranga topped Group D comfortably, going unbeaten in the process. The knockout rounds first saw them face Sudan in the round of 16, where they won 3-1. The quarter finals was a cagey affair, which saw Everton's Iliman Ndiaye score the only goal as they edged past Mali 1-0. The semi-finals was a repeat of the AFCON 2021 final as Senegal faced Egypt. Senegal were triumphant again, with legend Sadio Mané scoring the only goal of the game to send them to the final.

A @royalairmaroc Top View of Sadio Mané's winning goal for Senegal! ✈️🇸🇳#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025

pic.twitter.com/djASwxHoAN

— Total Energies Afcon2025 Updates (@TotalAFCON2025) January 15, 2026

Senegal boast an experienced backline, with Champions League and Yachine trophy winner Edouard Mendy standing between the posts, shielded by the formidable Kalidou Koulibaly. Moving up the field, Idrissa Gana Gueye shepherds the midfield, allowing for goals to come from all over the pitch. Iliman Ndiaye injects a spark of life into their attack, helped along by strikers Nicolas Jackson and Boulaye Dia, but the real catalyst of the team is Sadio Mané.

The most underrated player in Premier League history.

When we were having a nightmare, lump the ball to Sadio and he’d make something happen.

The one who could do it all

Sadio Mané. 🇸🇳💫 #LFC pic.twitter.com/i05Qbmcpj5

— James Wathland (@JamesWathland) November 11, 2025

With 3 assists and 2 goals to his name this tournament, Mané is looking to bring glory home to Senegal once more. After setting the Premier League alight for the best part of a decade, winning a Premier League and a Champions League, the 33 year old now plays his football in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr. The list of honours Mané has accrued in his career for both club and country are truly something to behold, and in what many may see as his last tournament for the nation, this would be his perfect swansong.

Senegal will not go down without a fight tonight, expect chaos, drama, and action from all over the pitch as they look to clinch only their second ever AFCON title.

Morocco's Journey

Consistency, persistence, solidity.

Those three words encapsulate Morocco's performances throughout the AFCON. Carrying the home support on their backs, the Atlas Lions have been immense in their charge for the country's second ever AFCON title.

Morocco will play for their first AFCON title in 50 years on Sunday.

And they get to do it at home 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/McPoaPu0xN

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 14, 2026

Morocco topped group A with ease. The round of 16 saw them defeat Tanzania 1-0, the quarter-finals saw them defeat one of the tournament favourites Cameroon 2-0, and the semi-finals saw them beat Nigeria on penalties in a dramatic affair.

1 - Morocco's defensive performance after 6 matches at #AFCON2025

🥇1 goal conceded (a penalty vs Mali)
🥇0.45 xG conceded per game
🥇5 shots on target faced (only 2 from inside the box)
🥇5 clean sheets

Lock 🔒 pic.twitter.com/yf2ozy0qX6

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 15, 2026

Astonishingly, Morocco have only conceded one goal all tournament, a penalty in the group stage against Mali. To say they are solid at the back is an understatement. Going forward, Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz has been electric for the Atlas Lions, scoring 5 goals. With the wingback cover of PSG's Achraf Hakimi, and Man United's Noussair Mazraoui, Morocco are dangerous from all angles of the pitch, and with a defensive track record like theirs, it is very difficult to get any change out of them.

Morocco are on a clear mission this AFCON tournament and they have shown time and again that they will not go down without a fight. The sheer tenacity and relentlessness of their defence, accompanied by the creative spark of Achraf Hakimi, the touch of class from Azzedine Ounahi in the midfield, and the clinical prowess of Brahim Diaz in attack make the Atlas Lions one of the most feared teams in the continent.

Who Takes The Crown?

1 - Sunday's final will be the first ever meeting between Morocco and Senegal at AFCON. Unique.

🦁 pic.twitter.com/Vo7jINWpeu

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 14, 2026

We’ll let you decide that one. If history tells us anything, it’s that home advantage can be the ultimate weapon, Ivory Coast rode the wave of the crowd all the way to the trophy at the last AFCON. However, Senegal aren’t here to make up the numbers, this is a squad packed with winners, players who’ve already conquered the biggest stage and know exactly what it takes when the lights are brightest.

Then there’s Morocco. A nation that’s already shattered ceilings on the world stage, becoming the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final. They don’t just belong in these moments, they thrive in them.

Whatever happens, this final has all the ingredients of a classic.

After a brilliant AFCON, it comes down to one last night. Two teams. One trophy. One champion.