The AFCON final is now set: Morocco vs Senegal. After two tightly contested semifinals, Nigeria and Egypt have been eliminated, leaving us with a dream final between the tournament’s two strongest teams.
Senegal show resilience
Resilience, patience, and belief. Three essential pillars that define Pape Thiaw’s Senegal—and three qualities that have carried the Lions of Teranga to the AFCON final.
Against Egypt’s trademark cunning, the match dragged on with a goalless scoreline. Egypt did nothing but defend, and it quickly became clear that Hossam Hassan’s men were playing solely for a penalty shootout. The problem with defending for too long is fatigue: legs grow heavy, focus fades, and clarity disappears. Eventually, Egypt cracked—and conceded the decisive goal.
And who else but Senegal’s living legend, Sadio Mané, to send his country to paradise?
The decisive penalty that delivered Senegal’s first AFCON title.
The goal that sent the Lions to the 2022 World Cup.
And now, once again, the goal that eliminates Egypt.
Time and time again, Sadio Mané has proven himself to be the nemesis of the seven-time African champions.
Moroccan Ecstasy
At the very end of a nerve-shredding night, when Morocco had long been haunted by the fear of a dramatic elimination, liberation finally arrived. Morocco defeated Nigeria on penalties, unleashing pure joy across the nation.
In the first half, Morocco created several chances. Two attempts from Brahim Díaz, followed by a long-range strike from Saibari. The Moroccans repeatedly tried their luck from outside the box, facing a Nigerian defense that was compact and well-organized. The biggest opportunity came from Nayef Aguerd, whose header crashed against the post.
Nigeria held firm for much of the match, led by an outstanding performance from Calvin Bassey at center-back. But Nigeria ended the night on a sour note. Showing physical strength is not enough—you also need nerve. Players like Iwobi and Lookman lacked composure when it mattered most, and that failure proved decisive in the penalty shootout.
Morocco vs Senegal.
A final worthy of the occasion.
A showdown between the two best African teams of the moment.