On Sunday, the eyes of football fans across Africa and the world will be on the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, which will host a historic footballing spectacle as the Moroccan national team faces Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final. This match holds exceptional importance for the Atlas Lions, as coach Walid Regragui and his squad are just one step away from realizing a long-awaited dream, one that has eluded Morocco for nearly five decades, and finally breaking the spell of the continental title that has eluded them since 1976.
The quest for lost glory
This match is more than just a continental final; it's a pivotal moment in Moroccan football history, a chance to recapture past glories. Since their sole triumph in Ethiopia 50 years ago under the group stage format, luck has eluded Moroccans on several occasions, most notably the 2004 final defeat to Tunisia, a match in which Walid Regragui played. Today, Regragui returns as coach, carrying the hopes of 40 million Moroccans, bolstered by a golden generation that shattered psychological barriers by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, confirming that Morocco has become a force to be reckoned with in the global football arena.
A tough journey and a determination to win the title
The Atlas Lions' path to this final was far from easy. After a shaky start and a difficult qualification against Tanzania, the team rallied to deliver heroic performances, eliminating established national teams. Achraf Hakimi and his teammates successfully knocked out Cameroon with a clean 2-0 victory, before overcoming the formidable Nigerian side and their potent attack in a penalty shootout in the semi-final. This gradual improvement reflects the tactical maturity and mental strength instilled in his players by coach Regragui, relying on a blend of experience and youth, and the outstanding performances of the trio of Brahim Diaz, Ayoub El Kaabi, and Abdel Samad Zalzouli.
Clash of the Titans: Morocco's Ambition vs. Senegal's Experience
On the other hand, the task will not be easy for the "Lions of Teranga," the Senegalese national team that has dominated African football in recent years. Senegal enters the match with considerable experience, having reached its third final in the last four editions, bolstered by world-class stars led by Sadio Mane and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Despite significant absences in the Senegalese squad, most notably captain Kalidou Koulibaly, the team possesses the character of champions and is determined to add a second star to its jersey.
Dimensions that extend beyond the green rectangle
This final carries significance that extends far beyond the pitch. Morocco's successful organization of the tournament and its national team's reaching the final reinforce the Kingdom's position as a global sporting hub, especially given its preparations to host the 2030 World Cup. Furthermore, winning the title would represent the culmination of a comprehensive sporting project and a long-term investment in infrastructure and young talent. Sunday night in Rabat, in front of an expected crowd of nearly 70,000, will be an opportunity to write a new chapter in the history of African football. Will Regragui succeed in fulfilling his promise and keeping the trophy at home?
