Morocco and Senegal have turned the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations into a heavyweight final between the hosts and the defending champions. After a month of group‑stage shocks and tight knockout games, the tournament has boiled down to a home crowd in Rabat and a Senegal side trying to prove their last AFCON title was no one‑off. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is now down to its final weekend, with full fixtures, scores, and standings available on Olympics.com’s AFCON 2025 tournament page.
Senegal squeezed past Egypt 1–0 in Tangier, with Sadio Mané scoring in the 78th minute to settle a cagey semifinal between two of Africa’s biggest football nations. The win sends Senegal back to the final with a chance to defend the crown they first lifted in 2022, reinforcing their status as arguably the most consistent team on the continent over the last few years. Egypt, who have lived off narrow margins all tournament, now drop into the third‑place playoff, where they will have one more shot at leaving Morocco with a medal.
@caf_online Mané for Senegal. A never-ending story. 🇸🇳❤️ #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WeCelebrateDifferent
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In Rabat, Morocco and Nigeria went the distance, playing out a 0–0 draw across 120 minutes before the hosts edged a 4–2 win on penalties. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the standout figure, making crucial saves in the shootout to send Morocco into their first AFCON final in 22 years and keep alive the possibility of lifting the trophy on home soil. For Nigeria, who came into the tournament as one of the pre‑tournament favorites, the defeat means a familiar story of getting close but falling short in the decisive moments.
The final is set for January 18 in Rabat, where Morocco will face Senegal with the trophy and a huge set of narratives on the line. The day before, Egypt and Nigeria will meet in the third‑place game, a consolation fixture that still matters for rankings, pride, and player showcases before Europe’s club season kicks fully back into gear. For neutral fans, the matchup offers a clear storyline: a host nation trying to complete a historic run in front of their own supporters against the reigning champions who want to cement a mini‑era of dominance in African football.