Morocco Hosts AFCON Final After 50-Year Title Drought

Morocco's Atlas Lions will face Senegal's Lions of Teranga on Sunday night in Rabat, where the host nation hopes to end a five-decade championship drought before their home crowd.

The Africa Cup of Nations final kicks off at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where nearly all 69,000 seats will be filled with Moroccan fans cheering for their team. Led by African player of the year Achraf Hakimi, Morocco has become Africa's highest-ranked team after reaching the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.

Morocco last won AFCON in 1976, despite establishing themselves as a continental powerhouse. This marks their first final appearance since 2004, and coach Walid Regragui's squad has dominated the tournament, conceding just one goal in four weeks while Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz leads all scorers with five goals.

Senegal arrives as defending champions from 2022, appearing in their third final in four tournaments. Star forward Sadio Mané, who scored the winning penalty in their last championship, suggested this might be his final AFCON appearance, though coach Pape Thiaw hopes to convince him otherwise.

"We dreamt of being here and now we have done it," Regragui told reporters Saturday. The pressure on him to deliver has been intense, with his job potentially on the line before this successful run.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond the match itself, this tournament has demonstrated Morocco's capability to host major sporting events. The country has impressed with high-quality stadiums, excellent playing surfaces, and new high-speed rail connections that showcase significant infrastructure upgrades ahead of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup.

Unlike previous tournaments plagued by organizational problems, AFCON 2025 has run smoothly and professionally. Morocco's investment in sports facilities and transportation has paid dividends, giving millions of fans across Africa a tournament to remember.

The final represents more than just a trophy for both nations. For Morocco, it's a chance to match their infrastructure success with sporting glory, while Senegal aims to prove their 2022 triumph was no fluke.

Whether the Atlas Lions roar to victory or the Lions of Teranga defend their crown, Sunday's match showcases African football at its finest, with two of the continent's best teams competing in world-class facilities before a passionate home crowd.