By VICTOR OKOYE

With destiny within reach, Senegal’s Teranga Lions hunt a second continental crown, while Morocco’s Atlas Lions roar at home, determined to end a 49-year wait and turn ambition into African supremacy in Rabat.

The Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final pits champions Senegal against hosts Morocco on Sunday, at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The kick-off for the blockbuster final is scheduled for 7 p.m. with Africa’s attention fixed on a clash rich in history, rivalry and continental significance.

Senegal arrive seeking a second AFCON crown, while Morocco chase a first title in almost five decades on home soil.

The Teranga Lions will contest their fourth AFCON final and their first since lifting the trophy in 2021.

Morocco are appearing in their second final and first since 2004, when they lost 2-1 to hosts Tunisia.

This is the first AFCON meeting between Senegal and Morocco, though it is their 32nd encounter overall.

Morocco dominate the head-to-head record with 18 wins, compared to Senegal’s six, alongside seven draws.

The two nations have crossed paths in AFCON qualifiers, World Cup qualifiers and continental tournaments over several decades.

Most recently, Morocco eliminated Senegal in the semi-finals of the 2024 CHAN, winning 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Morocco have won four of the last six meetings, with Senegal’s only victory in that run coming in a 2012 friendly.

The hosts have played all their matches in Rabat, while Senegal have based their campaign in Tanger.

Morocco become the 15th host nation to reach an AFCON final, extending a strong tradition of home success.

The last three hosts to reach the final, Tunisia in 2004, Egypt in 2006 and Côte d’Ivoire in 2023, all won the title.

The last host to lose an AFCON final was Nigeria in 2000, falling to Cameroon on penalties.

Hosts have won 11 AFCON finals and lost three, with all defeats requiring extra time.

Senegal are featuring in a final against a North African team for the third time.

They lost to Algeria in 2019 and defeated Egypt on penalties in 2021.

This will be Senegal’s first AFCON final against a host nation.

Historically, AFCON finals between West and North African teams are evenly split, with four wins each.

Five of those finals were decided in open play, while three went to penalties.

Senegal reached the final after five wins from six matches, drawing only once in the group stage.

They defeated Sudan, Mali and Egypt in the knockout rounds, conceding just two goals all tournament.

The Teranga Lions have kept four clean sheets and could equal their best-ever AFCON tally of five.

They are unbeaten in their last 17 AFCON matches, winning 12 and drawing five.

Only one goal has been scored in Senegal’s previous three AFCON finals.

Their 2021 triumph over Egypt ended 0-0 before a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has guided his side with authority and calm throughout the campaign.

“We have reached the final as we aimed, and now we must stay focused to win the title,” Thiaw said.

“I congratulate my players, especially Sadio Mané, and I also commend Egypt, a great team with an unmatched history.”

Thiaw is the second Senegalese coach to reach an AFCON final, following Bruno Metsu and Aliou Cissé.

Victory would ensure both Senegal AFCON titles were won under Senegalese coaches.

Sadio Mané scored the decisive goal in the semi-final, his 11th AFCON strike.

Mané is now among the nine players in AFCON history with 10 or more goals.

He has created 18 chances at the tournament, the most by any player.

Edouard Mendy has kept four clean sheets, his best return in a single AFCON edition.

Morocco, meanwhile, have conceded just one goal and kept five clean sheets.

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou is the first Moroccan to achieve five clean sheets at one AFCON.

The Atlas Lions have gone 477 minutes without conceding a goal.

They have scored nine goals, with Brahim Díaz netting in five successive matches before the semi-final.

A goal in the final would see Díaz equal Ahmed Faras as Morocco’s joint top AFCON scorer.

Morocco have attempted 87 shots, second only to Senegal’s 94.

Achraf Hakimi leads the hosts creatively, with 10 chances created.

Coach Walid Regragui has again demonstrated his tournament pedigree after another penalty shoot-out success.

“It’s a superb final with the best African teams of the last three years,” Regragui said.

“It’s a fifty-fifty match. Senegal are a fantastic team and a brotherly nation.”

Regragui acknowledged areas for improvement ahead of the final.

“We have room to improve, but we have spirit and the desire to play for the jersey,” he said.

Victory would see Regragui become only the second coach to lead Morocco to AFCON glory.

It would also crown Morocco as simultaneous holders of the CHAN and AFCON titles.

For Senegal, victory would mean a first AFCON title win away from home.

For Morocco, it would end an 18,208-day wait for continental supremacy.

Rabat now awaits a final steeped in history, discipline and ambition, where Africa’s champions will be crowned under the floodlights. (NAN)

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