Taranga Lions Stand Between Morocco and First Continental Title in 50 Years

Morocco will look to end a 50-year wait for their second continental title when they face Senegal in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tomorrow.

But the Atlas Lions will also be looking to garner the ultimate return for their country’s huge investment in footballing infrastructure. The game in Rabat pits the continent’s top two teams against one another, with the North Africans ranked 11th in the world and the Teranga Lions eight places below them. “We are waiting for this trophy for 50 years now,” Morocco defender Romain Saiss told the BBC World Service. “It’s been a long time for everyone in the country. It’s the dream of all Moroccans.”

Morocco boast the best defence at the finals, with five clean sheets and the only goal conceded by Yassine Bounou coming from the penalty spot, but will face a stern examination from a Senegal side which has scored 12 times en route to booking their place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The West Africans are also bidding for their second Afcon crown, having claimed their maiden trophy at the 2021 edition in Cameroon. As well as the glory and the chance to call themselves the best team on the continent, the champions will pick up $10m in prize money – an increase of $3m from the last tournament.