AFCON final preview: Morocco’s 50-year wait ends tonight as Hakimi and Mane clash in Rabat cauldron

The stage is set for a classic. Tonight in Rabat, the continent’s two heavyweight nations go head to head as host nation Morocco, led by Achraf Hakimi, aim to end a 50 year drought against Sadio Mane’s defending champion Senegal. For the near 70,000 packing the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, anything less than victory will feel like a failure.

Morocco’s rise has been meteoric World Cup semi finalists, Africa’s top ranked side, but the AFCON trophy has remained agonisingly out of reach since 1976. Boss Walid Regragui, part of the side that lost the 2004 final, knows the suffocating pressure. “I hope this is just the beginning and not our last final,” he said, before adding a defiant note: “Senegal will need to be really strong to beat us at home.”

And what a task that is. The Atlas Lions have been imperious, conceding just once all tournament, a Mali penalty. Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz, the top scorer with five, provides the flair, but it’s a unified machine. They’re aiming to emulate Ivory Coast’s 2024 home triumph and finally crown their era of dominance.

Senegal, however, are the hardened tournament experts. This is their third final in four editions, and they’ve already navigated a storm off the pitch. The federation launched a furious complaint about their welcome in Rabat, citing “serious concerns” over security, inadequate hotels, and limited tickets. Coach Pape Thiaw didn’t hold back: “My players could have been in danger. That type of thing should not happen.”

Amid the controversy, the Lions of Teranga must overcome the suspension of captain Kalidou Koulibaly. Their hopes rest heavily on Sadio Mane, who declared the semi final would be his last AFCON. Remarkably, Thiaw has publicly pushed back. “The country does not agree, and I as coach do not agree. We would like to keep him,” he stated, throwing the legendary forward’s international future into immediate doubt.

It all makes for a volatile mix. Morocco’s historic quest, Senegal’s wounded pride, a bubbling diplomatic row, and the final chapter for one of Africa’s greats. For Morocco, it’s about cementing a legacy. For Senegal, it’s about defiance. The whistle can’t come soon enough.