Sunday’s final is first meeting between Morocco and Senegal at an AfCON tournament

* But their 32nd overall in which Senegal have six wins to Morocco’s 18, with seven draws in qualifies of the FIFA World Cup and AfCON finals in the past

* Their most recent meeting was at the 2024 edition of CHAN on August 26, 2025 where Morocco deposed defending champions Senegal in the semifinals

Maravi Express

Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) Morocco 2025 final will be the first meeting between Morocco and Senegal at the continent’s greatest football showpiece to be played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat from 21h00.

Senegal will be playing in their 4th AfCON final and first since 2021, while Morocco will contest their second final and first since 2004. When Morocco lifted the trophy in 1976, the final stage was played in a round-robin format with no final and for this edition, they become the 15th host nation to reach the AfCON final.

This is the two giants’ overall 32nd meeting from which Senegal have six wins to Morocco’s 18, with seven draws in their encounters in the qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup and AfCON finals in the past.

Most recently, they met at the 2024 edition of African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 on August 26, 2025 where Morocco deposed defending champions Senegal in the semifinals.

The game ended 1-1 before Morocco triumphed 5-3 on penalties en route to reclaiming the title they lost to Senegal at the 2022 CHAN.

Morocco have won four of the last six games between the sides, with Senegal’s only victory in this period coming in the form of a 1-0 win on May 25, 2012 in a friendly match.

Prior to their CHAN meeting, their previous clash on October 9, 2020 saw Morocco win a friendly international 3-1 while in 1970, Morocco made their inaugural appearance at the FIFA World Cup where they defeated Senegal in the qualifiers.

A play-off match in Las Palmas was required after the aggregate score of the first two games ended 2-2, with Morocco winning the decider 2-0. Morocco also got the better of Senegal as they qualified for the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Senegal reached their first FIFA World Cup finals in 2002 where they faced Morocco in the qualifying rounds, drawing away from home and winning at home. Both teams finished level on 15 points, with Senegal progressing on superior goal difference.

Morocco’s only AfCON title came in 1976. In the qualifiers, they faced Senegal in the first round, defeating them 5-2 on aggregate — the Atlas Lions winning the first leg 4-0 in Fez, while Senegal won the second leg 2-1.

Meanwhile, the Confédération of African Football (CAF) and technical supplier PUMA have unveiled a special commemorative version of the Afcon Morocco 2025 official matchball, ITRI, for Sunday’s showpiece final — featuring gold accents as a tribute to the two finalists.

The ball that has been used during the tournament, features a striking design that incorporates traditional Moroccan zellij geometric patterns, characterised by central star geometry, floral petal outlines and circular symmetry.

Built on PUMA’s advanced Orbita 6 technology, the ball seamlessly blends heritage with innovation, delivering the performance standards required for elite-level competition while celebrating African culture.—Reporting by CAFonline; edited by Maravi Express