Will the finale go to the end of the night? Morocco and Senegal are preparing to compete for the title of the 2025 African Cup of Nations, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat this Sunday (8 p.m.). The debates are likely to be lively between two of the greatest nations in African football.
But what will happen in the event of a tie at the end of regulation time? According to the competition regulations issued by CAF, a zero score on the scoreboard at the end of the regulatory 90 minutes will result in an overtime period divided into two 15-minute halves. If the two teams cannot decide, the traditional penalty shootout will decide between them.
Morocco already has an extension in its legs
A scenario which would probably not suit Walid Regragui’s men, since they have already had to play an overtime during the semi-final won on penalties against Nigeria (0-0, 4-2 tab). What to weaken them before the final? Not necessarily according to the words of the Atlas Lions coach at a press conference on Friday.
“We have half an hour more in our legs. We know that the psychological criterion is decisive. But if the players are tired, they won’t give up now. And if we see that some are less good, there are some on the bench to take over. We will always be in the style of play that we have been playing for two years. Tomorrow, we will have a great opponent, we will have to be at the same level physically otherwise we will not exist. We are not going to make excuses, we will have to be present physically and mentally,” he explained to journalists.
In the event of a penalty shootout, Morocco will have a good argument, and his name is Yassine Bounou. The Atlas Lions goalkeeper managed to keep away two attempts from the Super Eagles during the semi-final session and is one of the best goalkeepers in this sector.
