The African Cup of Nations concludes in Rabat as hosts Morocco face Senegal in a tie to determine the champions of Africa. The African Cup of Nations concludes in Rabat as hosts Morocco face Senegal in a tie to determine the champions of Africa. Both sides are chasing a second AFCON title, Morocco 50 years on from their first, and Senegal after reaching three finals across the last four editions.
Morocco’s journey to the final has been contentious, stumbling through teams not at their dazzling best. Their coach, Walid Regragui, is pragmatic in style, encouraging a free-flowing team leaning into the individual qualities of Achraf Hakimi, Abde Ezzalzouli, Ayoub El Kaabi and Brahim Diaz to lead the attack.
Morocco’s Tournament Run
In the quarter-finals, they faced an inspired Cameroon, who did all but score. Dominated in possession, riding the luck of favorable officiating decisions, yet swiftly taking their chances when it counted. A headed opportunity from the corner by El Kaabi was pounced upon and bundled in by top scorer Brahim Diaz, breaking Cameroon’s control, with a decider swiftly slotted in by Ismael Saibari.
In the semi-finals, Morocco rose to show their best form of the competition thus far by dispatching a resurgent Nigeria. The soaring Super Eagles were freely scoring throughout, but met their match in a front-footed Morocco that sprung off a stalwart defense. They couldn’t get started with their game, tactically outdone by Regragui’s regimented side that broke down anything the Nigerians tried to start. Despite again gaining the favor of referee decisions, Morocco were undoubtedly the better team on the night. A dominant display in a draw that led to penalties, where Al-Hilal’s Bono’s heroics saved two disappointing spot kicks from the nervy Nigerians.
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Senegal Never Had to Panic
In contrast, Senegal have been sturdy throughout the AFCON. Albeit facing a different range of opponents, the Teranga Lions boast a team many consider to be the best team on the continent. The team is coached by Pape Thiaw and is composed of stars such as Sadio Mane, Idrissa Gueye, Nicolas Jackson, Kalidou Koulibaly, Iliman Ndiaye, Malick Diouf, and reinforced by the likes of Ismaila Sarr – the Senegal team is teeming with quality. Most of the squad were a part of the 2021 AFCON win against Egypt, the team they faced last Wednesday again in the semis. A fabled rivalry, led by former Liverpool wings in Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, that has come to a conclusion after 4 matches, which saw Senegal defeat Egypt in that 2021 final, knock them out of World Cup qualification in 2022, and undo a robust defense on Wednesday, which was bereft of ideas beyond a low block.
The quality of the Senegalese players was too much to handle, and despite holding on until the 78th minute, Sadio Mane’s perfectly placed shot sailed past Mohamed El Shenawy, forcing Egypt out of their shell. It proved far too late for an Egyptian reaction, and the Senegalese seemingly put the rivalry to bed. Both defenses have been watertight, conceding twice in the competition thus far. Morocco have only conceded once while Senegal have conceded twice. Both teams have also come into flowing form at the right time, eager to keep the title in Morocco or bring it home to Dakar.
The Questions Hanging Over Rabat
Morocco’s journey to the final does not come without questions. Those favorable refereeing decisions are a contentious stain on their route. Their quality is undeniable, they remain the best representative Africa has had on the World Cup stage, beating Spain and Portugal on the way to a first African nation’s entry into the semi-finals in 2022. However, it must be acknowledged that other teams have felt hard done by their home advantage. Nigeria and Cameroon would be reeling from the wayward decision-making of refs that impeded the flow of their play, making it all the more difficult to penetrate the sound Moroccan defense.
Upon their arrival in Rabat, the Senegalese team released a statement regarding their treatment. Lacking security provisions, which led to the team and staff being mobbed by fans, provided ill-equipped accommodation, inappropriate training grounds, which could expose their tactics, a lack of ticket allocation numbering around 2850, opposed to tens of thousands of Moroccan fans, and a general lack of respect in totality. The complaint surmises the frustrations of previous opponents, all of whom feel impeded by an organization leaning into home advantage. This is a blight on the tournament, which tends to show the beauty of African football at the heights of the game. We hope that, despite such difficult pre-match preparation, Senegal can still rise to the occasion, and the game itself represents the best of what African football has to offer.
Where This AFCON Final Will Be Won
The final itself features two fantastic teams that clearly want to win the tie in open play. While Morocco has steadily risen to their expectations, Senegal is a team who haven’t had to get out of first gear. Morocco hasn’t faced a side as strong thus far, and would need to harden their defense against a front-footed and dangerous, well-rounded attack.
One of Morocco’s greatest assets and attacking outlets is a marauding Hakimi, who will leave graceful space for Sadio Mane to venture in when he darts forward into attack. It looks like a key area for Senegal to expose, if not breaching through the centre and half spaces with an able midfield. Ndiaye’s quality on the right, Nicolas Jackson’s terrifying pace in the middle, and able shooters packed in midfield. I expect Morocco to have a tough time fending off the Senegalese bombardment.
Senegal are without their captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, who is suspended and injured for this game. This may be encouraging for the likes of Brahim Diaz and El Kaabi, wanting to take their chances at a lesser-experienced option at the back, though Senegal’s quality doesn’t entirely wane. They’d need to find the pockets of space Senegal leaves to try and retaliate and break from, and the Moroccans certainly have the quality to hurt them. We are expecting a back-and-forth entertaining game that won’t refrain from showing the quality of these two African heavyweights.
Why AFCON Always Delivers
The African Cup of Nations is usually entertaining to watch for a multitude of reasons. The constantly evolving landscape of African Football, the theatrics on show that make the tournament so memorable, and the massive upsets that captivate the football world. Every competition provides us with new insights into the development of football nations, a glimpse into the chemistry of African fandom, and an ever-flowing stream of pressure on the mightiest teams and their players to etch their names in history. This hasn’t been the most spellbinding tournament, but it has proved a great example for Morocco’s 2030 tripartite World Cup bid alongside Spain and Portugal. It has also presented a few memorable moments that won’t leave our minds for a long time.
UK based writer, cutting across Complex UK & Complex MENA.
