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Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) - Discussion Thread
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LOL. Why is Gabon acting like this? Gabon is not a good team and they were expected to do poorly.
These were their opponents --> Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Mozambique.
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LOL. Why is Gabon acting like this? Gabon is not a good team and they were expected to do poorly.
These were their opponents --> Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Mozambique.
Ivory coast and Cameroon are African heavyweights. So, Gabon never had a real chance.
Only Mozambique was easy. They should've won that I guess.
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LOL. Why is Gabon acting like this? Gabon is not a good team and they were expected to do poorly.
These were their opponents --> Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Mozambique.
Africans see this as a source of pride beating other African nations. They take it too seriously if they lose . There were accusations of witchcraft and voodoo in the qualifiers.
Egypt to win it
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Africans see this as a source of pride beating other African nations. They take it too seriously if they lose . There were accusations of witchcraft and voodoo in the qualifiers.
Egypt to win it
LMAO! That's funny.
Gabon are acting like they are an African heavyweight which they clearly are not.
I hope Morocco will win it. From Africa, I root for Morocco.
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great win morocco
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Big Semifinals to follow soon tonight
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Final should be Egypt vs Morocco.
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Senegal vs Morocco: AFCON final – teams, start time, lineups
Morocco hosts Senegal in the final of the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, ending a four-week tournament that showcased the continent’s best football.
A win in the men’s showpiece on Sunday would end a 50-year wait for the kingdom’s second Africa Cup title and bring validation of sorts for the huge spending spree. But the pressure is immense.
Senegal, the 2021 winner, is also going for its second title, but the build-up has been overshadowed by complaints about their treatment going into the final.
It’s a duel of lions, between the Atlas Lions of Morocco and Teranga Lions of Senegal.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the final of the 35th edition:
What is Senegal’s complaint against Morocco before the AFCON final?
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the local organising committee to “immediately take every corrective measure to guarantee respect for the principles of fair play, equal treatment, and security indispensable for the success of this celebration of African football”.
Senegal’s players travelled by train from Tangier to Rabat on Friday, but found what the federation said was a “clear lack of adequate security measures” upon their arrival.
FSF issued a statement in the early hours of Saturday morning in which it criticised an alleged lack of security arrangements for the team’s arrival in Rabat, problems with the team’s accommodation, issues with the training facilities, and difficulties getting a fair ticket allocation for its supporters.
“This deficiency exposed the players and technical staff to overcrowding and risks incompatible with the standards of a competition of this magnitude and the prestige of a continental final,” the federation said.
How do Morocco and Senegal shape up for the AFCON final?
It has been a tournament of few surprises, and no one will be shocked to see the two top-ranked African teams contest the final – world No 11 Morocco vs No 19 Senegal. Both are likely to climb in the FIFA rankings when the next update is issued on Monday.
Both teams have played all their six games so far in the same stadium, with Morocco buoyed by vociferous home support in the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which is also hosting the final.
For Senegal, which played every game in Tangier, it will be its first match of the tournament in another stadium, potentially a further complaint of fairness for the Teranga Lions should the final not go in their favour.
Who have been Senegal’s key players at AFCON 2025?
Senegal’s Sadio Mane has created 18 chances, the most in the tournament. The two-time African Footballer of the Year (2019, 2022) scored against Egypt in the semifinal – his 11th Africa Cup goal.
Mane led Senegal to victory in 2021 and will want to sign off with another win in what is likely his last game in the competition.
Edouard Mendy has been a rock in goal, while midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye brings a wealth of experience to the centre of the park, but the rumour is that this could also be the last AFCON for both of those players.
The pressure on Mane in attack has been eased by Iliman Ndiaye’s growing importance, as well as Paris Saint-Germain teenager Ibrahim Mbaye, who has also been an emerging talent at this
Who have been Morocco’s key players at AFCON 2025?
Forget Achraf Hakimi, the 2025 African Footballer of the Year – the undisputed star of the tournament so far has been Morocco’s No 10, Brahim Diaz, who scored in each of the team’s first five games.
If Diaz scores again in the final, he would join Ahmed Faras as Morocco’s joint-top scorer at an Africa Cup. Faras, the 1975 African Footballer of the Year, is the country’s top scorer altogether, with 36 goals.
To be fair to Hakimi, he missed the team’s first two games as he recovered from an ankle injury, going on as a substitute in the third. He has since played every game in the knockout stage and created 10 chances, the most for a Moroccan player.
When did Senegal win AFCON?
Senegal’s only AFCON title came in 2022, and Mane was the main man for the Lions of Teranga as they beat Egypt on penalties in the Cup of Nations final in Yaounde.
Having missed a penalty during normal time that night, Mane stepped up to score the decisive kick in the shootout, and Senegal – World Cup quarterfinalists in 2002 – were African champions for the first time.
In that moment, a huge weight was lifted off the shoulders of the boy from a small town on the banks of the Casamance River in southern Senegal.
There have also been plenty of lows for the two-time African footballer of the year, including the defeat in the final against Algeria in Cairo at the 2019 edition and missing the 2022 World Cup with injury.
When did Morocco win AFCON?
Much has been written about Morocco’s wait for their second AFCON crown. This edition marks the 50th anniversary of the Atlas Lions’ solitary continental title.
It is undoubtedly a huge underachievement by the north African nation, but the pressure is now greater than ever.
Morocco became only the fourth African nation to reach a World Cup quarterfinal at Qatar 2022 and went on to become the first nation from the continent to reach the semifinals.
Success did not follow at the 2023 AFCON, so – in front of their own fans – the expectation is that the wait, since that solitary title in 1976 in Ethiopia, must now come to an end.
Stat attack – Senegal
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has conceded only twice at this edition – against Congo and Sudan – and the Teranga Lions have not let in more than one goal in a game since a 2-2 draw with Algeria in 2017. In its last 22 Africa Cup games, Senegal has kept a clean sheet in 15 of those matches.
Stat attack – Morocco
Morocco has conceded only one goal in the tournament so far – a penalty scored by Mali’s Lassine Sinayoko in the group stage.
They are also unbeaten in two years, since going out of the last AFCON in Ivory Coast in the last 16 to South Africa.
Are Morocco and Senegal going to the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Both teams have qualified for the World Cup this year. However, Senegal supporters are unsure whether they can attend the team’s first two games in the United States because of a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration.
The Teranga Lions play their first match against France in New Jersey on June 16, four days before facing Norway in the same stadium. Senegal will face a playoff winner between Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq in Toronto for its final group game on June 26.
Morocco is in Group C with Brazil, Haiti and Scotland. Moroccan fans will not be affected by the travel ban.
Will Morocco host the 2028 AFCON?
Morocco will hope that it provided the best playing facilities, stadiums and infrastructure in the history of the tournament on the continent as it continues its preparations to be a 2030 World Cup co-host.
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It’s likely it will get another dry run before the global showpiece as host of the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, brought forward a year from 2029 to allow the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to switch the competition to a four-year cycle that brings it in line with FIFA’s calendar.
Few countries in Africa would be able to host the event at such short notice. Morocco, which has invested heavily in football and transport infrastructure, is also hosting three Women’s Africa Cup tournaments in succession, with the third beginning March 17.
The next AFCON is due to take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Head-to-head
The nations have played each other 31 times, with Morocco winning 18 of the encounters and Senegal winning six.
A number of their encounters, including the last, have come at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) – a tournament where only players that play their club football on the continent can compete.
This, incredibly, will be their first meeting at an AFCON.
Senegal team news
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly is out because of an accumulation of yellow cards. It’s his second suspension of the tournament after a red card in the group stage, and it will be the second final he misses through suspension after the 2019 final, which Senegal lost to Algeria. Koulibaly’s semifinal was cut short by injury, so it’s uncertain if he could have played.
Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra is also suspended because of yellow cards. He was booked in the semifinal win over Egypt for arguing.
Senegal predicted starting lineup
Mendy; Diatta, Sarr, Niakhate, Diouf; Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; Ndiaye, Jackson, Mane
Morocco team news
Azzedine Ounahi has missed the entirety of the competition with a calf injury, and the midfielder is expected to be absent once again for the final.
Romain Saiss picked up a muscle injury in Morocco’s opening match against Comoros and remains absent.
Morocco’s predicted starting lineup
Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui; Diaz, El Khannouss, Saibari, Ezzalzouli; El Kaabi
www.aljazeera.com
Morocco hosts Senegal in the final of the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, ending a four-week tournament that showcased the continent’s best football.
A win in the men’s showpiece on Sunday would end a 50-year wait for the kingdom’s second Africa Cup title and bring validation of sorts for the huge spending spree. But the pressure is immense.
Senegal, the 2021 winner, is also going for its second title, but the build-up has been overshadowed by complaints about their treatment going into the final.
It’s a duel of lions, between the Atlas Lions of Morocco and Teranga Lions of Senegal.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the final of the 35th edition:
What is Senegal’s complaint against Morocco before the AFCON final?
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the local organising committee to “immediately take every corrective measure to guarantee respect for the principles of fair play, equal treatment, and security indispensable for the success of this celebration of African football”.
Senegal’s players travelled by train from Tangier to Rabat on Friday, but found what the federation said was a “clear lack of adequate security measures” upon their arrival.
FSF issued a statement in the early hours of Saturday morning in which it criticised an alleged lack of security arrangements for the team’s arrival in Rabat, problems with the team’s accommodation, issues with the training facilities, and difficulties getting a fair ticket allocation for its supporters.
“This deficiency exposed the players and technical staff to overcrowding and risks incompatible with the standards of a competition of this magnitude and the prestige of a continental final,” the federation said.
How do Morocco and Senegal shape up for the AFCON final?
It has been a tournament of few surprises, and no one will be shocked to see the two top-ranked African teams contest the final – world No 11 Morocco vs No 19 Senegal. Both are likely to climb in the FIFA rankings when the next update is issued on Monday.
Both teams have played all their six games so far in the same stadium, with Morocco buoyed by vociferous home support in the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which is also hosting the final.
For Senegal, which played every game in Tangier, it will be its first match of the tournament in another stadium, potentially a further complaint of fairness for the Teranga Lions should the final not go in their favour.
Who have been Senegal’s key players at AFCON 2025?
Senegal’s Sadio Mane has created 18 chances, the most in the tournament. The two-time African Footballer of the Year (2019, 2022) scored against Egypt in the semifinal – his 11th Africa Cup goal.
Mane led Senegal to victory in 2021 and will want to sign off with another win in what is likely his last game in the competition.
Edouard Mendy has been a rock in goal, while midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye brings a wealth of experience to the centre of the park, but the rumour is that this could also be the last AFCON for both of those players.
The pressure on Mane in attack has been eased by Iliman Ndiaye’s growing importance, as well as Paris Saint-Germain teenager Ibrahim Mbaye, who has also been an emerging talent at this
Who have been Morocco’s key players at AFCON 2025?
Forget Achraf Hakimi, the 2025 African Footballer of the Year – the undisputed star of the tournament so far has been Morocco’s No 10, Brahim Diaz, who scored in each of the team’s first five games.
If Diaz scores again in the final, he would join Ahmed Faras as Morocco’s joint-top scorer at an Africa Cup. Faras, the 1975 African Footballer of the Year, is the country’s top scorer altogether, with 36 goals.
To be fair to Hakimi, he missed the team’s first two games as he recovered from an ankle injury, going on as a substitute in the third. He has since played every game in the knockout stage and created 10 chances, the most for a Moroccan player.
When did Senegal win AFCON?
Senegal’s only AFCON title came in 2022, and Mane was the main man for the Lions of Teranga as they beat Egypt on penalties in the Cup of Nations final in Yaounde.
Having missed a penalty during normal time that night, Mane stepped up to score the decisive kick in the shootout, and Senegal – World Cup quarterfinalists in 2002 – were African champions for the first time.
In that moment, a huge weight was lifted off the shoulders of the boy from a small town on the banks of the Casamance River in southern Senegal.
There have also been plenty of lows for the two-time African footballer of the year, including the defeat in the final against Algeria in Cairo at the 2019 edition and missing the 2022 World Cup with injury.
When did Morocco win AFCON?
Much has been written about Morocco’s wait for their second AFCON crown. This edition marks the 50th anniversary of the Atlas Lions’ solitary continental title.
It is undoubtedly a huge underachievement by the north African nation, but the pressure is now greater than ever.
Morocco became only the fourth African nation to reach a World Cup quarterfinal at Qatar 2022 and went on to become the first nation from the continent to reach the semifinals.
Success did not follow at the 2023 AFCON, so – in front of their own fans – the expectation is that the wait, since that solitary title in 1976 in Ethiopia, must now come to an end.
Stat attack – Senegal
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has conceded only twice at this edition – against Congo and Sudan – and the Teranga Lions have not let in more than one goal in a game since a 2-2 draw with Algeria in 2017. In its last 22 Africa Cup games, Senegal has kept a clean sheet in 15 of those matches.
Stat attack – Morocco
Morocco has conceded only one goal in the tournament so far – a penalty scored by Mali’s Lassine Sinayoko in the group stage.
They are also unbeaten in two years, since going out of the last AFCON in Ivory Coast in the last 16 to South Africa.
Are Morocco and Senegal going to the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Both teams have qualified for the World Cup this year. However, Senegal supporters are unsure whether they can attend the team’s first two games in the United States because of a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration.
The Teranga Lions play their first match against France in New Jersey on June 16, four days before facing Norway in the same stadium. Senegal will face a playoff winner between Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq in Toronto for its final group game on June 26.
Morocco is in Group C with Brazil, Haiti and Scotland. Moroccan fans will not be affected by the travel ban.
Will Morocco host the 2028 AFCON?
Morocco will hope that it provided the best playing facilities, stadiums and infrastructure in the history of the tournament on the continent as it continues its preparations to be a 2030 World Cup co-host.
Advertisement
It’s likely it will get another dry run before the global showpiece as host of the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, brought forward a year from 2029 to allow the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to switch the competition to a four-year cycle that brings it in line with FIFA’s calendar.
Few countries in Africa would be able to host the event at such short notice. Morocco, which has invested heavily in football and transport infrastructure, is also hosting three Women’s Africa Cup tournaments in succession, with the third beginning March 17.
The next AFCON is due to take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Head-to-head
The nations have played each other 31 times, with Morocco winning 18 of the encounters and Senegal winning six.
A number of their encounters, including the last, have come at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) – a tournament where only players that play their club football on the continent can compete.
This, incredibly, will be their first meeting at an AFCON.
Senegal team news
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly is out because of an accumulation of yellow cards. It’s his second suspension of the tournament after a red card in the group stage, and it will be the second final he misses through suspension after the 2019 final, which Senegal lost to Algeria. Koulibaly’s semifinal was cut short by injury, so it’s uncertain if he could have played.
Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra is also suspended because of yellow cards. He was booked in the semifinal win over Egypt for arguing.
Senegal predicted starting lineup
Mendy; Diatta, Sarr, Niakhate, Diouf; Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; Ndiaye, Jackson, Mane
Morocco team news
Azzedine Ounahi has missed the entirety of the competition with a calf injury, and the midfielder is expected to be absent once again for the final.
Romain Saiss picked up a muscle injury in Morocco’s opening match against Comoros and remains absent.
Morocco’s predicted starting lineup
Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui; Diaz, El Khannouss, Saibari, Ezzalzouli; El Kaabi
Morocco seek to end 50-year AFCON wait against Mane’s Senegal – all to know
Morocco carry the weight of a nation into the 2025 AFCON final as the hosts look to end a 50-year wait against Senegal.
finalfantasy7
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cmon morocco,Senegal vs Morocco: AFCON final – teams, start time, lineups
Morocco hosts Senegal in the final of the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, ending a four-week tournament that showcased the continent’s best football.
A win in the men’s showpiece on Sunday would end a 50-year wait for the kingdom’s second Africa Cup title and bring validation of sorts for the huge spending spree. But the pressure is immense.
Senegal, the 2021 winner, is also going for its second title, but the build-up has been overshadowed by complaints about their treatment going into the final.
It’s a duel of lions, between the Atlas Lions of Morocco and Teranga Lions of Senegal.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the final of the 35th edition:
What is Senegal’s complaint against Morocco before the AFCON final?
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the local organising committee to “immediately take every corrective measure to guarantee respect for the principles of fair play, equal treatment, and security indispensable for the success of this celebration of African football”.
Senegal’s players travelled by train from Tangier to Rabat on Friday, but found what the federation said was a “clear lack of adequate security measures” upon their arrival.
FSF issued a statement in the early hours of Saturday morning in which it criticised an alleged lack of security arrangements for the team’s arrival in Rabat, problems with the team’s accommodation, issues with the training facilities, and difficulties getting a fair ticket allocation for its supporters.
“This deficiency exposed the players and technical staff to overcrowding and risks incompatible with the standards of a competition of this magnitude and the prestige of a continental final,” the federation said.
How do Morocco and Senegal shape up for the AFCON final?
It has been a tournament of few surprises, and no one will be shocked to see the two top-ranked African teams contest the final – world No 11 Morocco vs No 19 Senegal. Both are likely to climb in the FIFA rankings when the next update is issued on Monday.
Both teams have played all their six games so far in the same stadium, with Morocco buoyed by vociferous home support in the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which is also hosting the final.
For Senegal, which played every game in Tangier, it will be its first match of the tournament in another stadium, potentially a further complaint of fairness for the Teranga Lions should the final not go in their favour.
Who have been Senegal’s key players at AFCON 2025?
Senegal’s Sadio Mane has created 18 chances, the most in the tournament. The two-time African Footballer of the Year (2019, 2022) scored against Egypt in the semifinal – his 11th Africa Cup goal.
Mane led Senegal to victory in 2021 and will want to sign off with another win in what is likely his last game in the competition.
Edouard Mendy has been a rock in goal, while midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye brings a wealth of experience to the centre of the park, but the rumour is that this could also be the last AFCON for both of those players.
The pressure on Mane in attack has been eased by Iliman Ndiaye’s growing importance, as well as Paris Saint-Germain teenager Ibrahim Mbaye, who has also been an emerging talent at this
Who have been Morocco’s key players at AFCON 2025?
Forget Achraf Hakimi, the 2025 African Footballer of the Year – the undisputed star of the tournament so far has been Morocco’s No 10, Brahim Diaz, who scored in each of the team’s first five games.
If Diaz scores again in the final, he would join Ahmed Faras as Morocco’s joint-top scorer at an Africa Cup. Faras, the 1975 African Footballer of the Year, is the country’s top scorer altogether, with 36 goals.
To be fair to Hakimi, he missed the team’s first two games as he recovered from an ankle injury, going on as a substitute in the third. He has since played every game in the knockout stage and created 10 chances, the most for a Moroccan player.
When did Senegal win AFCON?
Senegal’s only AFCON title came in 2022, and Mane was the main man for the Lions of Teranga as they beat Egypt on penalties in the Cup of Nations final in Yaounde.
Having missed a penalty during normal time that night, Mane stepped up to score the decisive kick in the shootout, and Senegal – World Cup quarterfinalists in 2002 – were African champions for the first time.
In that moment, a huge weight was lifted off the shoulders of the boy from a small town on the banks of the Casamance River in southern Senegal.
There have also been plenty of lows for the two-time African footballer of the year, including the defeat in the final against Algeria in Cairo at the 2019 edition and missing the 2022 World Cup with injury.
When did Morocco win AFCON?
Much has been written about Morocco’s wait for their second AFCON crown. This edition marks the 50th anniversary of the Atlas Lions’ solitary continental title.
It is undoubtedly a huge underachievement by the north African nation, but the pressure is now greater than ever.
Morocco became only the fourth African nation to reach a World Cup quarterfinal at Qatar 2022 and went on to become the first nation from the continent to reach the semifinals.
Success did not follow at the 2023 AFCON, so – in front of their own fans – the expectation is that the wait, since that solitary title in 1976 in Ethiopia, must now come to an end.
Stat attack – Senegal
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has conceded only twice at this edition – against Congo and Sudan – and the Teranga Lions have not let in more than one goal in a game since a 2-2 draw with Algeria in 2017. In its last 22 Africa Cup games, Senegal has kept a clean sheet in 15 of those matches.
Stat attack – Morocco
Morocco has conceded only one goal in the tournament so far – a penalty scored by Mali’s Lassine Sinayoko in the group stage.
They are also unbeaten in two years, since going out of the last AFCON in Ivory Coast in the last 16 to South Africa.
Are Morocco and Senegal going to the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Both teams have qualified for the World Cup this year. However, Senegal supporters are unsure whether they can attend the team’s first two games in the United States because of a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration.
The Teranga Lions play their first match against France in New Jersey on June 16, four days before facing Norway in the same stadium. Senegal will face a playoff winner between Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq in Toronto for its final group game on June 26.
Morocco is in Group C with Brazil, Haiti and Scotland. Moroccan fans will not be affected by the travel ban.
Will Morocco host the 2028 AFCON?
Morocco will hope that it provided the best playing facilities, stadiums and infrastructure in the history of the tournament on the continent as it continues its preparations to be a 2030 World Cup co-host.
Advertisement
It’s likely it will get another dry run before the global showpiece as host of the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, brought forward a year from 2029 to allow the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to switch the competition to a four-year cycle that brings it in line with FIFA’s calendar.
Few countries in Africa would be able to host the event at such short notice. Morocco, which has invested heavily in football and transport infrastructure, is also hosting three Women’s Africa Cup tournaments in succession, with the third beginning March 17.
The next AFCON is due to take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Head-to-head
The nations have played each other 31 times, with Morocco winning 18 of the encounters and Senegal winning six.
A number of their encounters, including the last, have come at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) – a tournament where only players that play their club football on the continent can compete.
This, incredibly, will be their first meeting at an AFCON.
Senegal team news
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly is out because of an accumulation of yellow cards. It’s his second suspension of the tournament after a red card in the group stage, and it will be the second final he misses through suspension after the 2019 final, which Senegal lost to Algeria. Koulibaly’s semifinal was cut short by injury, so it’s uncertain if he could have played.
Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra is also suspended because of yellow cards. He was booked in the semifinal win over Egypt for arguing.
Senegal predicted starting lineup
Mendy; Diatta, Sarr, Niakhate, Diouf; Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; Ndiaye, Jackson, Mane
Morocco team news
Azzedine Ounahi has missed the entirety of the competition with a calf injury, and the midfielder is expected to be absent once again for the final.
Romain Saiss picked up a muscle injury in Morocco’s opening match against Comoros and remains absent.
Morocco’s predicted starting lineup
Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui; Diaz, El Khannouss, Saibari, Ezzalzouli; El Kaabi
Morocco seek to end 50-year AFCON wait against Mane’s Senegal – all to know
Morocco carry the weight of a nation into the 2025 AFCON final as the hosts look to end a 50-year wait against Senegal.
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Pape Gueye's extra-time goal was enough to seal a second Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title for Senegal, after chaotic scenes at the end of normal time saw the West Africans walk off the pitch and Brahim Diaz miss a penalty for Morocco in the 24th minute of injury time.
The lengthy delay came after the spot kick was awarded via the intervention of the video assistant referee (VAR), sparking angry scenes on the touchline and in the crowd, with Senegal fans clashing with security after attempting to break on to the pitch.
After waiting so long to take his penalty, Diaz was under immense pressure, having been handed the chance to end his country's 50-year wait to lift the Afcon trophy with essentially the final kick of the game, but his decision to chip the ball down the middle backfired horrendously as Edouard Mendy was able to stand his ground and collect in embarrassingly simple fashion.
After 90 minutes which were largely devoid of obvious goalscoring opportunities, the unsavoury scenes at the end were a poor advert for African football, especially with Morocco talking up this tournament as a test event for co-hosting the 2030 Fifa World Cup.
Chances did come at both ends after Gueye's strike four minutes into extra time, but the closest Morocco came to an equaliser was when Nayef Aguerd powered a header against the bar from a corner.
And as the rain poured down in Rabat, Morocco's dream of a first continental crown since 1976 was washed away in dramatic fashion.
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what a peno miss, he's going to get a lot of slack for that miss, he aint zidane
well done to senegal
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Thank you Senegal
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'Shameful' and 'terrible look' - the chaos that marred Senegal's triumph
Senegal beat Morocco to win the Africa Cup of Nations for a second time - but only after the final was overshadowed when they temporarily refused to play after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.
Referee Jean Jacques Ndala gave the spot-kick in the 98th minute after being advised by the video assistant referee (VAR) to consult the pitchside monitor and review defender El Hadji Malick Diouf's challenge on Brahim Diaz.
Amid sensational scenes, head coach Pape Thiaw, still incensed by Ndala's decision moments earlier to disallow a Senegal goal, ushered his team off the field.
Former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane stayed on the pitch and tried to encourage his Senegal team-mates to finish the game.
Following a delay of around 17 minutes, the players did eventually return.
Real Madrid forward Diaz, the tournament's top scorer with five goals, was trusted with the penalty, but his tame 'Panenka' effort was caught by Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy who barely had to move, and Ndala immediately blew his whistle for full-time.
Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye then scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time to seal a second triumph in five years for the Lions.
In his post-match news conference, Morocco coach Walid Regragui said Senegal's actions were "shameful" and do not "honour Africa
Thiaw, meanwhile, had his media briefing cancelled after a ruckus broke out in the press room.
But in an interview with BeIN Sport, he accepted that he should not have ordered his team off the field.
"We didn't agree," he said. "I don't want to go over all the incidents. I apologise for the football.
"After reflecting on it I made them come back [on the pitch] - you can react in the heat of the moment. We accept the errors of the referee.
"We shouldn't have done it but it's done and now we present our apologies to football."
Thiaw, 44, was initially furious with referee Ndala for disallowing a goal by Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr, who had bundled home from close range.
His effort was chalked off for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi in the build-up.
And the penalty decision compounded those feelings. Several of the Senegal players followed Thiaw's request to leave the field, while some of their supporters threw objects and attempted to get on the field.
Diaz, who was substituted after Gueye's goal, was left crestfallen as Morocco missed the chance to win a first Afcon title since 1976.
After the game, Mane said: "Football is something special, the world was watching, so we have to give a good image for football.
"I think it would be crazy to not play this game because what, the referee gave a penalty and we go out of the game? I think that would be the worst thing especially in African football. I'd rather lose than this kind of thing happen to our football.
"I think it's really bad. Football should not stop for 10 minutes but what can we do? We have to accept what we did but the good thing is that we came back and we played the game and what happened happened."
Former Chelsea keeper Mendy, who now plays for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, insisted he was "proud" of the way Senegal - instructed by Mane - returned to the field to win their second Afcon title this decade.
"What did we say to each other? That's between us," said Mendy.
"We did it together and we came back together, that's all that matters. We can be proud."
Match-winner Gueye added: "We had a feeling of injustice. Just before the penalty we thought we should have had a goal and the referee didn't go to VAR.
"Sadio [Mane] told us to come back on and we remobilised. Edouard [Mendy] then made the save, we stayed focused, got the goal and won the game."
BBC
Mas-LFC
Local Club Captain
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Didn’t follow Afcon much, but did wanted Morocco to win afcon at first, as I have a soft spot for them, having been Morocco few times, made friends there and have one close one from work in UK. But after having got to know how they treated Senegal before the final, heard how much bias referring given them throughout the tournament. Saw the final and Senegal first goal was legit but soft foul given. I wanted Senegal to win and prayed for them. Well done SENEGAL 
beaten corruption.
beaten corruption.
KingKhanWC
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The antics by the Moroccons were an utter disgrace . I know this nation has sold its soul but their arrogance and blatant cheating was embarrassing.
Senegal deserved to lift the trophy , lovely to see Mane with more glory . Great player
Senegal deserved to lift the trophy , lovely to see Mane with more glory . Great player
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sweep_shot
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Morocco should've been awarded the game after Senegal left the ground in protest.
It was a farce. That was a clear foul. Senegal needed to respect referee's decision.
I think CAF should reverse the decision and declare Morocco the winner.
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Senegal coach defends AFCON final walk-off before expected sanction
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has defended his team’s walk-off during the Africa Cup of Nations final, saying it was an emotional decision taken in the chaos of the moment.
Last Sunday, Senegal left the field in stoppage time when Morocco was awarded a penalty, just moments after a potential trophy-winning Senegal goal was ruled out.
“It was never my intention to go against the principles of the game I love so much,” Thiaw wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “I simply tried to protect my players from injustice. What some may perceive as a violation of the rules is nothing more than an emotional reaction to the bias of the situation. After deliberation, we decided to resume the match and go for the trophy.”
Sadio Mane persuaded the Senegal players back so Brahim Díaz could take Morocco’s penalty. Díaz’s effort was saved in the last action of normal time, then Pape Guaye scored in extra time for Senegal to win 1-0.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino slammed Senegal’s walk-off the next day, and the Moroccan Football Federation said it was pursuing legal action with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football because it “significantly impacted the normal flow of the match and the players’ performance”.
The decision to award the penalty led to fights around the field with rival players involved on the sideline while stewards battled with Senegalese behind one of the goals. Some fans managed to get onto the field where the fighting continued, and some were dragged away.
The Senegal walk-off ultimately led to a 15-minute stop in play, but there was still fighting ongoing when Brahim took his unsuccessful sport kick.
www.aljazeera.com
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has defended his team’s walk-off during the Africa Cup of Nations final, saying it was an emotional decision taken in the chaos of the moment.
Last Sunday, Senegal left the field in stoppage time when Morocco was awarded a penalty, just moments after a potential trophy-winning Senegal goal was ruled out.
“It was never my intention to go against the principles of the game I love so much,” Thiaw wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “I simply tried to protect my players from injustice. What some may perceive as a violation of the rules is nothing more than an emotional reaction to the bias of the situation. After deliberation, we decided to resume the match and go for the trophy.”
Sadio Mane persuaded the Senegal players back so Brahim Díaz could take Morocco’s penalty. Díaz’s effort was saved in the last action of normal time, then Pape Guaye scored in extra time for Senegal to win 1-0.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino slammed Senegal’s walk-off the next day, and the Moroccan Football Federation said it was pursuing legal action with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football because it “significantly impacted the normal flow of the match and the players’ performance”.
The decision to award the penalty led to fights around the field with rival players involved on the sideline while stewards battled with Senegalese behind one of the goals. Some fans managed to get onto the field where the fighting continued, and some were dragged away.
The Senegal walk-off ultimately led to a 15-minute stop in play, but there was still fighting ongoing when Brahim took his unsuccessful sport kick.
Senegal coach defends AFCON final walk-off before expected sanction
Senegal face investigation following players and coaches walk-off in injury time of AFCON final against hosts Morocco.
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