When it comes to African football’s biggest showdowns, few clashes carry as much weight as a Senegal National Football Team Vs Morocco National Football Team lineups reveal on final night. On 18 January 2026, in front of a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the 35th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations reached its breathtaking and ultimately controversy-laden conclusion.
Morocco, the tournament hosts, carried the hopes of a nation eager to end a 50-year AFCON title drought dating back to their solitary triumph in 1976. Senegal, the reigning champions since 2021, entered as the tournament’s most impressive side, having dispatched Botswana, DR Congo, Benin, Sudan, Mali, and Egypt en route to the final.
The Senegal National Football Team Vs Morocco National Football Team lineups for this final were the most scrutinised in recent African football history, featuring some of the continent’s most elite talent Sadio Mané, Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Díaz, Édouard Mendy, and more. What unfolded was a night of tactical chess, disputed officiating, a dramatic walk-off, a missed panenka penalty, extra-time heroics, and an unprecedented post-tournament legal overturn that still echoes across the football world.
Disclaimer: All match details, stats, lineups, and events are based on publicly available data at the time of writing and may change. This content is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with any official organization.
Match Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 — Final |
| Edition | 35th Africa Cup of Nations |
| Date | Sunday, 18 January 2026 |
| Kickoff Time | 19:00 UTC (20:00 local, Rabat) |
| Venue | Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco |
| Stadium Capacity | 69,500 |
| Attendance | 66,526 |
| Referee | Jean-Jacques Ndala (DR Congo) |
| Assistant Referees | Guylain Bongele Ngila & Gradel Mwanya Mbilizi (DR Congo) |
| VAR Official | Pierre Atcho (Gabon) |
| Fourth Official | Abongile Tom (South Africa) |
| On-Field Score | Senegal 1–0 Morocco (AET) |
| Official CAF Result | Morocco 3–0 Senegal (awarded, 17 March 2026) |
| Goal Scorer | Pape Gueye (90+4′ ET — Senegal) |
| Man of the Match | Pape Gueye (Senegal) |
This was the first-ever meeting between Senegal and Morocco at an AFCON tournament — an astonishing stat given the two countries have played each other 31 times across all competitions.
Both Team Lineups
The Senegal National Football Team Vs Morocco National Football Team lineups below are the confirmed, officially announced starting XIs for the 2025 AFCON Final.
🇸🇳 Senegal Starting XI — Formation: 4-3-3
| No. | Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Édouard Mendy | GK | Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) |
| 24 | Formose Mendy | RB | Girona (Spain) |
| 2 | Abdoulaye Seck | CB | Trabzonspor (Turkey) |
| 19 | Moussa Niakhaté | CB | Nottingham Forest (England) |
| 25 | El Hadji Malick Diouf | LB | Stoke City (England) |
| 5 | Idrissa Gueye | DM | Everton (England) |
| 8 | Pape Gueye | CM | Marseille (France) |
| 26 | Lamine Camara | CM | Monaco (France) |
| 13 | Ismaïla Sarr | RF | Crystal Palace (England) |
| 11 | Sadio Mané | CF | Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia) |
| 10 | Iliman Ndiaye | LF | Everton (England) |
Coach: Pape Thiaw
Notable Absentees: Kalidou Koulibaly (suspended — yellow card accumulation); Habib Diarra (suspended)
🇸🇳 Senegal Substitutes
| No. | Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Cheikhou Kouyaté | DF | Angers (France) |
| 6 | Nampalys Mendy | MF | Leicester City (England) |
| 12 | Nicolas Jackson | FW | Chelsea (England) |
| 14 | Fodé Ballo-Touré | DF | AC Milan (Italy) |
| 18 | Boulaye Dia | FW | Lazio (Italy) |
| 27 | Yehvann Diouf | GK | Stade de Reims (France) |
🇲🇦 Morocco Starting XI — Formation: 4-3-3
| No. | Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yassine Bounou (Bono) | GK | Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) |
| 2 | Achraf Hakimi | RB / Captain | Paris Saint-Germain (France) |
| 5 | Nayef Aguerd | CB | West Ham United (England) |
| 3 | Romain Saïss | CB | Besiktas (Turkey) |
| 22 | Noussair Mazraoui | LB | Manchester United (England) |
| 8 | Azzedine Ounahi | CM | Marseille (France) |
| 4 | Sofyan Amrabat | DM | Manchester United (England) |
| 6 | Ismael Saibari | CM | PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) |
| 17 | Hakim Ziyech | RF | Galatasaray (Turkey) |
| 9 | Ayoub El Kaabi | CF | Olympiacos (Greece) |
| 10 | Brahim Díaz | LF | AC Milan (Italy) |
Coach: Walid Regragui
🇲🇦 Morocco Substitutes
| No. | Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Youssef En-Nesyri | FW | Fenerbahçe (Turkey) |
| 7 | Sofiane Boufal | FW | Southampton (England) |
| 14 | Selim Amallah | MF | Standard Liège (Belgium) |
| 16 | Munir El Haddadi | FW | Almería (Spain) |
| 19 | Yahia Attiyat Allah | DF | Wydad AC (Morocco) |
| 25 | Bono Replaced by | GK | N/A |
Match Events Timeline
| Minute | Event | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1’–89′ | Goalless, largely even contest | N/A | Both |
| 45+4′ | Disallowed goal (referee whistle before ball crossed line) | Ismaïla Sarr | Senegal |
| 45+8′ (ET equiv.) | Penalty awarded to Morocco via VAR (Diouf foul on Díaz) | El Hadji Malick Diouf | Senegal |
| 45+8′ | Senegal players walk off pitch in protest | Team | Senegal |
| ~14 min | Pitch suspension — Mané convinces teammates to return | Sadio Mané | Senegal |
| 45+8′ | Édouard Mendy receives yellow card for delay of game | Édouard Mendy | Senegal |
| 45+21′ (approx.) | Brahim Díaz panenka penalty — SAVED by Mendy | Brahim Díaz | Morocco |
| 45+21′ | End of normal time: 0–0 | N/A | Both |
| 90+4′ (ET) | GOAL — Pape Gueye, left-footed shot, top-right corner | Pape Gueye | Senegal |
| Full-time (AET) | Senegal 1–0 Morocco | N/A | Final |
| 17 March 2026 | CAF Appeal Board overturns result — Morocco awarded 3–0 | N/A | Official |
Match Statistics
The Senegal National Football Team Vs Morocco National Football Team lineups produced a cagey but fascinating tactical battle across 120 minutes.
| Statistic | Senegal 🇸🇳 | Morocco 🇲🇦 |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored (on field) | 1 | 0 |
| Official Result (CAF) | 0 | 3 (awarded) |
| Total Shots | 14 | 21 |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 4 |
| Ball Possession | 50% | 50% |
| Pass Accuracy | 81% | 81% |
| Corner Kicks | 8 | 10 |
| Goalkeeper Saves | 4 | 6 |
| Fouls Committed | 25 | 17 |
| Offsides | 1 | 1 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 | 2 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Tournament Goals Scored | 12 | 9 |
| Tournament Goals Conceded | 2 | 1 |
| Tournament Clean Sheets | 4 | 5 |
Player Ratings
🇸🇳 Senegal Player Ratings
| Player | Position | Rating (/10) | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Édouard Mendy | GK | 9.0 | 6 saves, penalty stop vs Díaz, commanding presence |
| Formose Mendy | RB | 6.5 | Solid defensively, limited attacking output |
| Abdoulaye Seck | CB | 6.0 | Caught in disallowed goal controversy, solid otherwise |
| Moussa Niakhaté | CB | 7.5 | Strong in the air, dominant at the back |
| El Hadji Malick Diouf | LB | 5.5 | Conceded the crucial penalty; battled bravely otherwise |
| Idrissa Gueye | DM | 7.0 | Tireless pressing engine, won key duels |
| Pape Gueye | CM | 9.5 | MOTM — scored the winning goal, massive in extra time |
| Lamine Camara | CM | 7.5 | Energetic, creative between the lines |
| Ismaïla Sarr | RF | 7.0 | Involved in disallowed goal, provided width |
| Sadio Mané | CF | 8.0 | Led the walk-off resolution; inspired, tireless captain on pitch |
| Iliman Ndiaye | LF | 7.0 | Creative, troublesome for Moroccan defence |
🇲🇦 Morocco Player Ratings
| Player | Position | Rating (/10) | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yassine Bounou | GK | 7.5 | 4 saves, kept Morocco in the match |
| Achraf Hakimi | RB | 6.5 | 10 chances created in tournament; less influential in final |
| Nayef Aguerd | CB | 7.0 | Composed under pressure from Mané and Ndiaye |
| Romain Saïss | CB | 6.5 | Experienced but stretched in extra time |
| Noussair Mazraoui | LB | 7.0 | Energetic, supported attacks well |
| Sofyan Amrabat | DM | 7.5 | Dominant in midfield duels, shielded the back four |
| Azzedine Ounahi | CM | 6.5 | Neat in possession, faded in extra time |
| Ismael Saibari | CM | 5.5 | Involved in towel controversy; below-par overall |
| Hakim Ziyech | RF | 6.0 | Flashes of quality but ultimately quiet in the final |
| Ayoub El Kaabi | CF | 6.0 | Isolated against Niakhaté-Seck partnership |
| Brahim Díaz | LF | 5.0 | Missed crucial panenka penalty; subdued after dominant tournament |
Tactical Analysis
Senegal’s Defensive Masterclass
Coach Pape Thiaw set up his side in a disciplined 4-3-3 that morphed into a 4-5-1 out of possession. With Koulibaly suspended, centre-back pairing Moussa Niakhaté and Abdoulaye Seck were asked to handle Morocco’s pace-laden attack led by Brahim Díaz and El Kaabi. Idrissa Gueye patrolled the base of midfield, snuffing out Moroccan transitions before they could develop.
Senegal’s strategy was clear: absorb pressure, stay compact, and rely on pace on the counter through Mané, Ndiaye, and Sarr. The Teranga Lions made 25 fouls a sign they were willing to break up Moroccan rhythm at all costs. The 50-50 possession split confirmed this was a battle of defensive solidity rather than expansive play.
Morocco’s Dominance Without Conversion
Walid Regragui’s Atlas Lions dominated in attacking metrics 21 total shots to Senegal’s 14 but shot conversion let them down massively. Brahim Díaz, who had been the tournament’s outstanding player by scoring in five consecutive matches heading into the final, was nullified by Senegal’s defensive structure. His panenka penalty attempt, which should have been the decisive moment, was comfortably saved by Mendy a moment that shifted the psychological balance entirely.
Morocco’s 4-3-3 pressed high and used Hakimi’s overlapping runs and Mazraoui’s width to create crossing opportunities, generating 10 corners to Senegal’s 8. However, with only 4 shots on target across 120 minutes, the Atlas Lions lacked the clinical edge needed to win the biggest game of their generation.
The Decisive Extra Time Phase
Pape Gueye’s winner in the 94th minute of extra time was a stunning piece of quality a left-footed shot into the top-right corner from just inside the penalty area. It came from a well-worked passage of play and rewarded Senegal’s collective resilience after one of the most chaotic final passages in AFCON history.
Key Players Spotlight
Pape Gueye 🇸🇳 (Man of the Match)
The Marseille midfielder had already made an impact earlier in the tournament with a brace against Sudan. In the final, he delivered when it mattered most scoring the only goal in extra time with a composed, powerful finish. His Man of the Match award was undisputed.
Édouard Mendy 🇸🇳
The goalkeeper was Senegal’s best player across the tournament, conceding only twice in 7 games. His penalty save against Brahim Díaz a calm read of the panenka was one of the images of the 2025 AFCON. Mendy also showed remarkable composure returning to the field after receiving a yellow card for delay of play.
Brahim Díaz 🇲🇦
The AC Milan attacking midfielder had been unstoppable until the final scoring in each of his first five matches and creating 10+ key moments in the tournament. In the final, however, Senegal’s defensive attention stifled him. His missed panenka will define the narrative of a brilliant but incomplete tournament campaign.
Sadio Mané 🇸🇳
The Al-Nassr captain’s decisive role came off the pitch as much as on it. When teammates walked off in protest, it was Mané who entered the dressing room to convince them to return, reportedly telling them: “We will play like men!” His leadership ensured the match could be completed and Senegal ultimately triumphed.
Achraf Hakimi 🇲🇦
The PSG full-back, named 2025 African Footballer of the Year, created 10 chances throughout the tournament the most of any Moroccan player. In the final, he was below his best and was later handed a suspension by CAF for his conduct during the penalty controversy.
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Head-to-Head Record
The Morocco Vs Senegal rivalry spans 31 all-time matches, though this was their first-ever AFCON meeting a remarkable fact given the stature of both nations.
| Metric | Morocco 🇲🇦 | Senegal 🇸🇳 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 31 | 31 |
| Wins | 18 | 6 |
| Draws | 7 | 7 |
| Goals Scored (all time) | 48 | 28 |
| First AFCON Meeting | 2025 Final | 2025 Final |
| AFCON 2025 On-Field Result | Lost 0–1 (AET) | Won 1–0 (AET) |
| Official AFCON 2025 Result | Won 3–0 (CAF awarded) | Lost 0–3 (CAF ruling) |
| AFCON Titles | 1 (1976 official per CAF 2026 ruling) | 1 (2021) |
Tournament Route to the Final
🇸🇳 Senegal’s Path to the Final — AFCON 2025
| Round | Opponent | Result | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | Botswana | 3–0 Win | Jackson ×2, Seck |
| Group Stage | DR Congo | 1–1 Draw | Mané |
| Group Stage | Benin | 3–0 Win | Seck, Diallo, N. Jackson |
| Round of 16 | Sudan | 3–1 Win | Pape Gueye ×2 |
| Quarter-Final | Mali | 1–0 Win | Iliman Ndiaye |
| Semi-Final | Egypt | 1–0 Win | Sadio Mané (78′) |
| FINAL | Morocco | 1–0 (AET) | Pape Gueye (90+4′) |
Total: P7 W5 D1 L0 | Goals Scored: 12 | Goals Conceded: 2
🇲🇦 Morocco’s Path to the Final — AFCON 2025
| Round | Opponent | Result | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | Comoros | 2–0 Win | Díaz, El Kaabi |
| Group Stage | Mali | 1–1 Draw | Penalty |
| Group Stage | Zambia | 3–0 Win | El Kaabi ×2, Díaz |
| Round of 16 | Tanzania | 1–0 Win | Díaz (Hakimi assist) |
| Quarter-Final | Cameroon | 2–0 Win | Díaz, N/A |
| Semi-Final | Nigeria | 0–0 (AET) W 4–2 pens | Bounou saved 2 penalties |
| FINAL | Senegal | 0–1 (AET) / 3–0 (awarded) | N/A |
Total: P7 W5 D1 L0 | Goals Scored: 9 | Goals Conceded: 1 (before final)
Recent Form Heading into the Final
Senegal 🇸🇳 — Last 6 Matches Before the Final
| Date | Opponent | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 14, 2026 | Egypt | 1–0 Win | AFCON 2025 SF |
| Jan 9, 2026 | Mali | 1–0 Win | AFCON 2025 QF |
| Jan 3, 2026 | Sudan | 3–1 Win | AFCON 2025 R16 |
| Dec 29, 2025 | Benin | 3–0 Win | AFCON 2025 GS |
| Dec 25, 2025 | DR Congo | 1–1 Draw | AFCON 2025 GS |
| Dec 22, 2025 | Botswana | 3–0 Win | AFCON 2025 GS |
Form: W W W W D W — 5W 1D 0L
Morocco 🇲🇦 — Last 6 Matches Before the Final
| Date | Opponent | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15, 2026 | Nigeria | 0–0 (W 4–2 pens) | AFCON 2025 SF |
| Jan 9, 2026 | Cameroon | 2–0 Win | AFCON 2025 QF |
| Jan 4, 2026 | Tanzania | 1–0 Win | AFCON 2025 R16 |
| Dec 29, 2025 | Zambia | 3–0 Win | AFCON 2025 GS |
| Dec 25, 2025 | Mali | 1–1 Draw | AFCON 2025 GS |
| Dec 21, 2025 | Comoros | 2–0 Win | AFCON 2025 GS |
Form: W W W W D W — 5W 1D 0L
Both teams were in outstanding form entering the final their identical records underscoring why this Senegal National Football Team Vs Morocco National Football Team lineups clash was so evenly anticipated.
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Squad Depth Comparison
Senegal 🇸🇳 — Key Depth Players
| Player | Position | Club | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolas Jackson | FW | Chelsea (England) | Impact substitute — scored in tournament |
| Boulaye Dia | FW | Lazio (Italy) | Attacking option off the bench |
| Cheikhou Kouyaté | MF/DF | Angers (France) | Experienced cover in midfield |
| Yehvann Diouf | GK | Stade de Reims (France) | Backup GK, AFCON final towel moment |
| Nampalys Mendy | MF | Leicester City (England) | Midfield cover |
| Fodé Ballo-Touré | DF | AC Milan (Italy) | Left-back cover |
Morocco 🇲🇦 — Key Depth Players
| Player | Position | Club | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youssef En-Nesyri | FW | Fenerbahçe (Turkey) | Starting-quality forward, key option |
| Sofiane Boufal | FW | Southampton (England) | Skilful winger off the bench |
| Selim Amallah | MF | Standard Liège (Belgium) | Midfield option |
| Munir El Haddadi | FW | Almería (Spain) | Wide forward cover |
| Yahia Attiyat Allah | DF | Wydad AC (Morocco) | Domestic star, defensive depth |
Tournament Implications & Controversy
The Walk-Off Incident
The defining moment of the Senegal National Football Team Vs Morocco National Football Team lineups fixture was not a goal but an act of protest. In the 5th minute of stoppage time, Senegal appeared to score through Ismaïla Sarr, but referee Ndala had already blown his whistle, calling a foul on Abdoulaye Seck’s challenge on Hakimi a decision widely criticised by analysts. Three minutes later, in the 8th minute of stoppage time, VAR instructed Ndala to award Morocco a penalty after El Hadji Malick Diouf held Brahim Díaz in the box.
Coach Pape Thiaw, furious at both decisions, instructed his players to leave the pitch a decision he later admitted was emotional. The game was suspended for approximately 14 minutes while Mané convinced his teammates to return. Díaz’s eventual panenka attempt was saved, and Senegal went on to win in extra time.
The CAF Ruling That Changed Everything
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation filed a complaint under Article 82 of AFCON regulations the following day. On 28 January 2026, CAF imposed fines and bans on both teams. Most dramatically, on 17 March 2026, the CAF Appeal Board invoked Article 84, ruling that Senegal’s walk-off constituted a forfeiture. Morocco were officially crowned 2025 AFCON champions with a 3–0 score. Senegal immediately filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
World Cup 2026 Implications
The AFCON 2025 final took on additional significance ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Both Morocco and Senegal have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup as part of Africa’s expanded allocation. Morocco who made history as the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final at Qatar 2022 will carry ambitions of going even further. Senegal, winners of consecutive AFCON editions (2021 and 2025 on-field), will seek to translate continental dominance onto the global stage.
The CAF sanctions handed to both nations including Pape Thiaw’s five-match ban, and suspensions for Hakimi and Saibari do not affect World Cup qualifying or participation, applying only to CAF competitions.
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Conclusion
The Morocco Vs Senegal AFCON 2025 Final was the most dramatic, most controversial, and most talked-about match in recent African football history. The Senegal National Football Team Vs Morocco National Football Team lineups delivered elite performances on both sides, with Édouard Mendy’s penalty save, Pape Gueye’s winning goal, and Brahim Díaz’s missed panenka among the defining images. But the night belonged as much to controversy as it did to football.
Whether you view the result as Senegal’s 1–0 triumph on the pitch or Morocco’s 3–0 officially awarded win, what is indisputable is that this match elevated African football to new heights of drama, passion, and global attention exactly the stage it deserves.
❓ FAQs
Q1. What was the Senegal National Football Team Vs Morocco National Football Team lineups result at AFCON 2025?
On the field, Senegal won 1–0 after extra time through a Pape Gueye goal in the 90+4′ minute. However, following Morocco’s appeal, the CAF Appeal Board awarded the match 3–0 to Morocco on 17 March 2026.
Q2. Who scored in the Senegal vs Morocco AFCON 2025 Final?
Pape Gueye of Senegal scored the only goal on the pitch, in the 4th minute of the first period of extra time. It was a left-footed shot into the top-right corner.
Q3. Who was Man of the Match in the Morocco Vs Senegal AFCON 2025 Final?
Pape Gueye (Senegal/Marseille) was officially named Man of the Match by CAF.
Q4. Why did Senegal walk off the pitch during the AFCON 2025 Final?
Senegal players and coach Pape Thiaw left the pitch in protest of two referee decisions: a disallowed goal for Ismaïla Sarr (referee whistled early) and a VAR-awarded penalty to Morocco for a foul by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Díaz.
Q5. Did Brahim Díaz score in the AFCON 2025 Final?
No. Díaz, who had scored in each of Morocco’s first five matches, failed to score in the final. He missed a panenka-style penalty, which was saved by Édouard Mendy.
Q6. Why was the AFCON 2025 result overturned?
The CAF Appeal Board ruled on 17 March 2026 that Senegal’s walk-off violated Article 82 of AFCON regulations (teams cannot leave the field without referee permission). Under Article 84, the match was declared a forfeit and awarded 3–0 to Morocco.
Q7. Who was suspended for the Senegal National Football Team Vs Morocco National Football Team lineups final?
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra both missed the final due to suspensions (yellow card accumulation). After the match, coach Pape Thiaw received a five-match CAF ban, while Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr received two-match bans. Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari were also sanctioned.
