By Michael Odegbe
African football reaches its zenith on Sunday evening when hosts Morocco face Senegal in the blockbuster final of the Africa Cup of Nations. This clash promises to be a dramatic, historic, and thrilling spectacle under the floodlights of Rabat.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM GMT at the 69,000-seat Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where a sea of red and green will galvanize the Atlas Lions. For Morocco, this is more than just a final; it’s a rendezvous with destiny.
Fifty years after their sole African Cup of Nations triumph in 1976, Morocco is aiming for a long-awaited second continental title. Victory would also make them the second consecutive host nation to lift the trophy, following the Ivory Coast’s home success in 2024.
Under the leadership of African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi and coach Walid Regragui, Morocco arrives with a heavy burden of expectation and form to match. The Atlas Lions have become a modern African powerhouse, breaking barriers, reaching the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup, and rising to 11th place in the FIFA rankings, overtaking Italy.
However, the African Cup has often been unfinished business for them.
This is Morocco’s first final since 2004, a heartbreaking defeat to Tunisia, a match Regragui remembers well, having played in it as a player.
“We dreamed of being here, and now we’ve achieved it,” Regragui said on Saturday.
“Tomorrow we want to try to make history.”
Morocco’s path to the final was built on the brilliant attack of Brahim Díaz the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals and a solid defense that conceded only one goal in the entire competition.
Standing in their way are the Lions of Teranga, title contenders seeking their third Africa Cup of Nations final in four tournaments. Senegal are seeking a second title, which will complement their 2022 triumph, when Sadio Mane converted the winning penalty against Egypt.
For Mane, this final carries added emotion. The Senegalese player hinted that this might be his last appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations, a move that has enraged the nation and alarmed his coach.
“I disagree with this decision,” said coach Pape Thiaw.
“The country disagrees as well. We want to keep him as long as possible.”
Off the pitch, tension has crept into the preparations. The Senegalese camp expressed concerns about security, accommodation, and ticket allocation upon arrival in Rabat, calling the situation “abnormal” between the two “brotherly countries.”
Despite the controversy, attention now turns to the pitch where Senegal must cope without suspended captain Kalidou Koulibaly, while Morocco is relying on home advantage and self-belief.
“It won’t be easy,” Regragui admitted. “Senegal will have to be really strong to beat us at home, but they’re capable of it.”
While Africa watches, Rabat prepares for an evening that could crown a long-awaited host… or perhaps hand out a parting gift from one of the continent’s biggest stars.
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