Overview:
The 60,000 plus spectators inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat will definitely push the home team Morocco at all times and it is added advantage to the hosts. Perhaps, professional players on the Senegalese team have faced similar intimidation and provocation throughout their careers and they are therefore ready to show their mantle.
‘Mama, mama, mama, tell us what the hell is goin’ on….
Father, father, father help us…..Cause people got me, got me questioning (Where’s the love?)…’
Those are some of the lyrics from the famous “Where’s the love?” song off the album Elephunk by the American Hip pop group Black Eyed Peas (2003).
This song which topped charts back in the years and continues to hit a billion plus views today crossed my mind as we prepare for the climax of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) football championship in Morocco.
Hosts Morocco, winners of the AFCON trophy in 1976 will tussle the 2021 champions Senegal in an explosive battle at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat city on Sunday, 18th January 2026.
The question now comes to the fore; Where is the love between Morocco and Senegal?
The bold answers will definitely be answered on Sunday evening.
Thousands will watch the match live in the stadium stands, millions shall follow closely the proceedings from the fan zones and parks as well as from the rest of the world.
“The two of the best countries currently in Africa are facing off, for the first time in the AFCON finals. We hope to win it” testified Morocco head coach Walid Regragui, moments after ejecting out Nigeria 4-2 in post-match penalties.
Senegal’s talisman Sadio Mane has already indicated that this could be his last AFCON and yearns to cap it with victory.
“I long for victory on Sunday because this is likely to be my last AFCON” Mane stated.
From the remarks of these two respected personalities, the contest is now more than cracker.
It is a duel that will produce the anticipated sparks, tension and thrills.
There will be marginal room for error; a situation of survival for the fittest where the winner will definitely take it home.
Road to final:
Both countries are unbeaten thus far with Morocco having scored 9 goals and conceded once in 6 matches.
Enroute to the final, Senegal has netted a dozen times and let in two goals.
Morocco has tested the physicality and tactical prowess of West African opposition during the 1-all draw with Mali in the group stages as well as Nigeria’s battle in the semi-finals.
Therefore, the Atlas Lions know what kind of game Senegal will plan and front.
Senegal has also played North Africans along the way in the semi-final held at Tanger stadium.
By far, both countries (Morocco and Senegal) have been tested to the brim at this championship but showed gallant fight back antics to pull off decent results on the day.
The 60,000 plus spectators inside the stadium will definitely push the home team at all times and it is added advantage to the hosts.
Perhaps, professional players on the Senegalese team have faced similar intimidation and provocation throughout their careers and they are therefore ready to show their mantle.
By the end of the day, we need one winner to be declared champion of the 35th AFCON edition.
I still stand on the fringes and confidently pose “Where is the love?”
Morocco’s road to the final:
- Morocco 2-0 Comoros (Group A)
- Morocco 1-1 Mali (Group A)
- Zambia 0-3 Morocco (Group A)
- Tanzania 0-1 Morocco (Round of 16)
- Cameroon 0-2 Morocco (Quarter-final)
- Nigeria 0 (2) – 0 (4) Morocco (Semi-final)
Senegal’s road to the final:
- Senegal 3-0 Botswana (Group D)
- Senegal 1-1 Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Group D
- Benin 0-3 Senegal (Group D)
- Senegal 3-1 Sudan (Round of 16)
- Mali 0-1 Senegal (Quarter final)
- Senegal 1-0 Egypt (Semi-final)
