Morocco Vs Senegal: Tactics, Squad News and Predictions

The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final will be contested between Senegal and hosts Morocco on Sunday, 18 January, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Kick-off is at 8:00 pm local time (22:00 EAT).

Participating in their first Africa Cup of Nations final since 2004, tournament hosts Morocco are just one victory away from ending the nation’s 50-year wait for another continental title.

However, Senegal has now reached four AFCON finals: 2002, 2019, 2021, and 2025.

They famously lifted their first trophy in 2021 after defeating Egypt.

Victory in their semifinal over Egypt team ensured Senegal became only the fifth country to have reached 75 percent of finals across a four-tournament cycle.

Tactics

Morocco

As the host nation, Morocco will likely aim to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game.

Their undefeated run suggests a well-organized and defensively sound unit.

Unlike most of their games in the tournament, Morocco followed a 4-1-4-1 formation, with one defensive midfielder, Neil El Aynaoui, two playmakers, Ismael Saibari and Bilal El Khannouss, two wingers, Brahim Diaz and Abde Ezzalzoul,i and one striker, Ayoub El Kaabi.

This gave the Lions of Atlas a good offensive advantage against Nigeria, the Super Eagles, having taken 16 shots, five of them being shots on target.

Also Read:AFCON 2025: Senegal Issues Demands to CAF Ahead of Final Clash with Morocco

Senegal

Senegal has racked up a lot of chances throughout this tournament because they’ve been so dominant with the ball.

They have taken 93 shots across their six matches, which is more than anyone else during the Africa Cup of Nations.

When they are in the final third, the main aim is to overload the middle of the pitch to try and play right through the opponent’s low block.

Their build-up against Egypt was a 2-3-2-3, with Mané and Iliman Ndiaye often inverting into the half-space, giving both full-backs the option to push high.

Squad News

Morocco

Azzedine Ounahi has missed the entirety of the competition with a calf injury, and the midfielder is expected to be absent once again for the final.

Romain Saiss picked up a muscle injury in Morocco’s opening match against Comoros and remains absent.

Morocco’s predicted starting lineup: Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui; Diaz, El Khannouss, Saibari, Ezzalzouli; El Kaabi

Also Read: How to Watch the AFCON 2025 Final: Morocco vs. Senegal Online

Senegal

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly is out because of an accumulation of yellow cards.

It’s his second suspension of the tournament after a red card in the group stage, and it will be the second final he misses through suspension after the 2019 final, which Senegal lost to Algeria.

Koulibaly’s semifinal was cut short by injury, so it’s uncertain if he could have played.

Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra is also suspended because of yellow cards.

He was booked in the semifinal win over Egypt for arguing.

Senegal’s predicted starting lineup: Mendy; Diatta, Sarr, Niakhate, Diouf; Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; Ndiaye, Jackson, Mane