Sport|Africa Cup of NationsSenegal vs Morocco: AFCON final – teams, start time, lineupsMorocco carry the weight of a nation into the 2025 AFCON final as the hosts look to end a 50-year wait against Senegal.
## Sports Event: Africa Cup of Nations Final
Sports Event: Africa Cup of Nations Final
Location: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco
Date and Time: Sun, Jan 18, 2025, at 8 PM (19:00 GMT)
Coverage: Follow updates on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT with text commentary available.
The final match of the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations will take place between Morocco and Senegal.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has expressed concerns regarding security and logistics, urging the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the local organizing committee to ensure fair play and adequate security measures for the team's arrival and stay.
The FSF highlighted issues with security upon arrival, accommodation, training facilities, and ticket allocation for supporters.
Morocco, ranked No. 11 globally, will play in their home stadium, supported by a large crowd. Morocco's key player, Brahim Diaz, has scored in five consecutive matches, and Achraf Hakimi has been instrumental in the knockout stages.
Location: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco Date and Time: Sun, Jan 18, 2025, at 8 PM (19:00 GMT) Coverage: Follow updates on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT with text commentary available.
Senegal, ranked No. 19 globally, features players like Sadio Mane, who has created the most chances in the tournament, and Edouard Mendy, known for his strong goalkeeping. The team faces its first match outside Tangier, raising concerns about fairness.
Sadio Mane: Created 18 chances, scored in the semifinal. Edouard Mendy: Conceded only two goals, maintained clean sheets in 15 of the last 22 matches.
Brahim Diaz: Top scorer for Morocco in the tournament. Achraf Hakimi: Contributed significantly in the knockout phase.
Senegal secured its first AFCON title in 2022, defeating Egypt in the final.
Morocco's sole AFCON victory occurred 50 years ago, and the team aims to end this long wait.
Both Morocco and Senegal have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Senegal faces challenges due to a travel ban that may affect fan attendance for initial matches in the United States. Morocco, in Group C, is unaffected by travel restrictions.
Morocco is a candidate to host the 2028 AFCON, leveraging its infrastructure and experience in organizing major tournaments as it prepares for potential co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup.
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. Midfielder Habib Diarra is also suspended.
Predicted Starting Lineup: Mendy; Diatta, Sarr, Niakhate, Diouf; Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; Ndiaye, Jackson, Mane
Azzedine Ounahi and Romain Saiss are expected to miss the final due to injuries.
Predicted Starting Lineup: Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui; Diaz, El Khannouss, Saibari, Ezzalzouli; El Kaabi
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
