My first taste of AFCON 2025 in person came at Morocco Vs Comoros, and it didn’t take long to realize this tournament is about more than football.
Media access was smooth on my side just infront of my Television screen, funny but quite a usual experience for the past couple of years.
Still, once the noise started, the frustrations faded. AFCON has a way of doing that.
By the Mali–Senegal quarter-final, I was back infront my TV set with my cup of tea in hand, experiencing the tournament as both a journalist and fan at the same time.
Organisation had improved clean corridors from what I watched in the prematch as players came on for warmups, calm entrances, helpful stewards.
Crutches tucked under seats, directions given with smiles. Above all, the atmosphere delivered, as it always does.
That atmosphere peaks tonight as hosts Morocco meet reigning champions Senegal in a final that captures modern African football at its best ambition, tradition, investment and raw passion colliding on one stage.
Morocco’s moment at home
For Morocco, this final is the product of a long, deliberate vision. Since 2008, football has been a national project backed by King Mohammed VI, with heavy investment in academies, infrastructure and elite training.
The results are clear, a 2022 World Cup semi-final, Olympic bronze, youth world titles, three CHAN crowns and an Arab Cup triumph.
Yet the senior Afcon title has remained out of reach.
It has been 50 years since Morocco last lifted the trophy in 1976, and this is only their second final since then. But never have they arrived better prepared or with a clearer chance than now.
Their home campaign has been near flawless. Wins over Comoros (2–0) and Zambia (3–0), a controlled draw with Mali, then knockout victories against Tanzania and Cameroon. Nigeria were held and beaten on penalties in the semi-final.
Six matches, nine goals scored, one conceded. Calm, clinical and driven by a nation desperate to celebrate at home.
Senegal’s relentless standard
Standing in their way are Senegal, Africa’s benchmark side of the past decade. Only Nigeria have scored more goals at this Afcon, and the Teranga Lions have once again shown their consistency.
They cruised through the group with wins over Botswana and Benin, drew with DR Congo, then eliminated Sudan and Mali before edging seven-time champions Egypt in the semi-final.
Once again, Sadio Mané delivered. The man who scored the winning penalty in 2021 struck the decisive goal, reminding everyone why he thrives on the biggest stage. At 33, he has hinted this could be his final Afcon.
“A final is meant to be won,” Mané said. “If this is my last, I want to enjoy it and make my country proud.”
He’s backed by serious firepower, Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diallo and teenage talent Ibrahim Mbaye plus experience from Edouard Mendy and Idrissa Gana Gueye. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Habib Diarra are suspended, but Afcon always writes its own stories.
Twenty year-old Mamadou Sarr will start in defence. His father, Pape Sarr, missed the 2002 final through suspension. Twenty-four years later, the son steps into the spotlight.
Colour, noise and a shared love of the game
Hours before kick-off, Senegalese fans were already inside, singing, drumming and dancing as one. Painted bodies spelling “Senegal” led the rhythm. They were outnumbered, but never out-sung.
Morocco’s supporters answered with a wall of red and noise, trying to drown out the drums. Outside, ticketless fans gathered just to be close.
This is Afcon at its purest. Rival supporters mix freely, streets turn into celebrations, and football becomes a shared language.
One trophy, Two narratives
Tonight, Africa crowns its champion. Morocco chase history and a title 50 years in the making on home soil. Senegal seek continuity, proof that their golden generation still has more to give.
The pitches have shone, the football has delivered, and two of the continent’s best now stand one match from glory.
I’ve crossed four stadiums, countless steps and more miles than my body appreciated. Every ache was worth it. Afcon always is.
Now it comes down to one night, one match, and one champion.
Line ups
Senegal
16
E Mendy
24
A Mendy
2
M Sarr
19
M Niakhate
25
E Diouf
8
L Camara
5
I Gueye (c)
26
P Gueye
13
I Ndiaye
11
N Jackson
10
S Mané
Substitutes
1
Y Diouf
4
A Seck
6
P Ciss
9
B Dia
12
C Ndiaye
14
I Jakobs
17
P Sarr
18
I Sarr
20
H Diallo
21
C Sabaly
22
O Niang
23
M Diaw
27
I Mbaye
28
M Camara
Morocco
1
Y Bounou
2
A Hakimi (c)
5
N Aguerd
25
A Masina
3
N Mazraoui
24
N El Aynaoui
10
B Diaz
23
B El Khannouss
11
I Saibari Ben El Basra
17
A Ezzalzouli
20
A El Kaabi
Substitutes
4
S Amrabat
7
H Igamane
9
S Rahimi
12
M Mohand Mohamedi
14
O Targhaline
15
M Chibi
16
I Akhomach
18
J El Yamiq
19
Y En-Nesyri
21
C Talbi
22
E Al Harrar
26
A Salah-Eddine
27
A Aït Boudlal
28
Y Belammari
6
R Saiss
