Overview:
Morocco will be bidding to end a 50-year wait for their second Afcon after claiming the title in 1976 while Senegal’s only title was in 2021.
Sunday January 18, 2026
- Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium, Rabat 10pm [EAT]
Either of Senegal or Morocco will be crowned African champions for only the second time in history at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat on Sunday.
The highly anticipated clash pits two teams on the continent in Fifa rankings against each other in what is a dream finale for most people across the world.
Hosts Morocco are ranked number one in Africa and 11th on the continent while Senegal are just seven places below in the world but second in Africa.
Off the pitch, the two nations have very good diplomatic relations and defender Moussa Niakhate says that the relationship should not be spoilt.
“We are two brotherly countries. This relationship should not be spoilt. Tomorrow we’ll have only one winner. Either Morocco or ourselves,” he told the press.
“We’ll do our best to win it. We’ll be very determined we want to go back to Dakar with the cup to celebrate with our fans.”
Morocco will be bidding to end a 50-year wait for their second Afcon after claiming the title in 1976 while Senegal’s only title was in 2021.
Road to FINAL
SENEGAL
The Lions of Teranga claimed seven points in Group D after wins over Botswana [3-0] and Benin [3-0] and then drew 1-1 with DR Congo.
In the round of 16, Senegal overcame Sudan 3-1, then beat Mali 1-0 in the quarter final and edged seven-time champions Egypt 1-0 in the semi-final.
Enroute to the final, Senegal has had eight different scorers with Sadio Mane, Nicholas Jackson, Cherif Ndiaye and Pape Gueye leading their charts with TWO goals. Others are Habib Diallo, Ibrahim Mbaye, Illman Ndiaye and Abdoulaye Seck.
MOROCCO
Like Senegal, Morocco also collected seven points in Group A beating Comoros 2-0, drawing 1-1 with Mali and then beating Zambia 3-0.
In the round of 16, Walid Regragui’s men beat Tanzania 1-0, then overcame the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0 in the quarter final and then overcome Nigeria 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw after extra time.
Brahim Diaz lead the charts with 5 goals, Ayoub El Kaabi has two with Ismael Saibari the other goal scorer for Morocco.
TEAM NEWS
Morocco are likely to continue missing defender Romain Saiss and Azzedine Ounahi who are injured although.
Senegal are without suspended duo of Kalidou Koulibaly and Habib Diarra who were booked in the semi-final.
KEY PLAYERS
The two nations have enough quality in all positions but all eyes will be on Sadio Mane who revealed the final will be his last Afcon game in Senegal colours while the Moroccans will look to Brahim Diaz who has scored in all but one game for inspiration.
KEY STATS
Morocco are unbeaten in 26 games stretching all the way back to their last-16 exit at the 2023 finals in Ivory Coast.
The Atlas Lions have not lost a competitive game on home soil since November 2009, a defeat by Cameroon in Fes.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS:
Senegal: Mendy (GK), Diatta, Sarr, Niakhate, Diouf, Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye, Ndiaye, Jackson, Mane
Morocco: Bono (GK), Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Diaz, El Khannouss, Saibari, Ezzalzouli, El Kaabi