2025 Africa Cup of Nations: Shocking Lineup Revealed—Can Senegal Overcome Morocco’s Secret Weapon?

On Sunday, January 18, Senegal and Morocco will clash in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, a match that promises to be historic. Both teams have shown remarkable prowess throughout the tournament, setting the stage for what has already become a highly anticipated matchup.

Senegal secured their spot in the final following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Egypt, with star forward Sadio Mané scoring the decisive goal. Dominating the match, Senegal boasts an impressive record of five wins and one draw, making them the most successful team in the tournament. As defending champions, they aim to retain the title they claimed in the 2021 AFCON.

On the other hand, Morocco advanced to the final after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Nigeria, having finished regulation and extra time in a 0-0 stalemate. Led by their captain Achraf Hakimi, the Atlas Lions have conceded only one goal throughout the tournament, establishing themselves as the best defensive team. Morocco seeks to end a 50-year title drought, their last AFCON victory occurring in 1976 in Ethiopia.

Historically, Morocco has the upper hand in head-to-head matches, with 18 wins compared to Senegal's six, and seven draws between the two sides. However, this final marks their first encounter in the AFCON, heightening the stakes and significance of their meeting—a scenario last seen in the 1996 final when South Africa faced Tunisia.

A final filled with controversy before kickoff

Controversy has already surrounded the final, particularly involving the host nation. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) filed a formal complaint against Morocco, citing a lack of adequate security measures upon their arrival at the Rabat train station. The FSF stated, “The FSF denounces the clear absence of adequate security measures upon the arrival of our national team at the Rabat train station.”

Senegal's head coach, Pape Thiaw, also expressed concerns, stating, “What happened yesterday is abnormal. A team like Senegal cannot simply arrive and find itself in the middle of such a crowd. The players were in danger. Anything could have happened, facing people with bad intentions.” In addition, the Senegalese federation raised concerns regarding the insufficient number of tickets allocated to their supporters for the final.

As excitement builds for the final, both teams are focused on their historical aspirations. Senegal seeks to solidify its status as a football powerhouse on the continent, while Morocco aims to revive its glory from decades past.

The projected lineups for both teams reflect their tactical approaches: Senegal is expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation with Édouard Mendy in goal, supported by players such as Krépin Diatta, Mamadou Sarr, Moussa Niakhaté, and El Hadji Diouf, while Morocco is set to employ a 4-1-4-1 formation featuring Yassine Bounou in goal and a solid defensive line built around Hakimi and Nayef Aguerd.

As the final approaches, the football world is watching closely, eager to see which team will emerge victorious in this monumental clash. With both teams brimming with talent and ambition, the match is not just about the trophy; it’s about pride, legacy, and the spirit of African football.