On a day when the goals dried up at the African Cup of Nations, Senegal and Morocco did just enough to secure their place in the final of the 2025 edition, having seen off Egypt and Nigeria, respectively.
Although the goals didn’t flow in both semi-final games, the victories were well deserved as both teams dominated their opponent, especially in the game between Senegal and record champions Egypt.
Senegal and Morocco reach AFCON 2025 final
Sadio Mané sent Mo Salah out
Sadio Mané scored the only goal of the two semi-finals combined in the 78th minute to conquer a resolute Egypt defence and send the Teranga Lions to their second final in the last three AFCON editions.
After their round of 16 elimination in the previous edition, Pape Thiaw looks to have learnt a lesson from his predecessor, because they had the Pharaohs where they wanted them all game, and continued to knock on the doors until they eventually cracked it.
Lamine Camara’s long-range attempt ricocheted into the path of Mané, and the Al Nassr man put his leg through the ball from the outside of the box, sending a low shot into the bottom corner with Mohamed El Shenawy rooted to a spot.
That proved the difference in the match, as Senegal reached the final, where they will face Morocco, in their first-ever AFCON meeting with the Atlas Lions.
Morocco ousted Nigeria on penalties
Morocco and Nigeria played out a goalless draw after 120 minutes of football action at the Prince Moulay Abdallah stadium in Rabat before the host booked their place in the final by winning 4-2 in the penalty shootout.
Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was the first to produce a save in the shootout, denying Hamza Igamane in the second round, but Samuel Chukwueze was unable to take advantage, as his tame effort was easily kept out by Yassine Bounou.
Nigeria missed again in the fourth round as left-back Bruno Onyemachi was denied by Bounou, before Youssef En-Nesyri, who scored the historical goal that landed them in the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup scored the fifth Morocco attempt to seal the win.
Despite losing their previous two penalty shootouts in the AFCON, Morocco have now won their two penalty shootouts under Walid Regragui, having beaten Spain in the World Cup over three years ago.
AFCON 2025 Final and third-place schedule
Senegal and Morocco will battle in the final, which will take place at Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat, at 20:00 West African Time on Sunday, 17th January, while the third-place playoff match will take place a day prior, between Nigeria and Egypt at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, at 17:00.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
