The big moment is approaching. A piece of history will be played out this Sunday, January 18 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium. After 22 years of waiting, Morocco will once again play an African Cup of Nations final, at home in Rabat, against Senegal. The Teranga Lions are looking for their second title in the history of the competition, five years after the first. And the selectors of both camps have obviously decided to bring out the heavy artillery for the meeting. Prince Moulay Abdellah
On the side of the Atlas Lions, Walid Regragui should line up his eleven type, the same one who made an entire people happy against Nigeria in the semi-final or against Cameroon in the quarter-final. Decisive against the Super Eagles during the penalty shootout, Yassine Bounou obviously retains the confidence of his coach.
The captain of the selection Achraf Hakimi, definitely well back from his ankle injury suffered with Paris in the Champions League, could not be missing alongside the central hinge Nayef Aguerd and Adam Masina, always preferred to Jawad El Yamiq. After Azzedine Ounahi’s withdrawal for the end of the CAN, Regragui continued to maintain his confidence in his magic trio with Neil El Aynaoui, Bilal El Khannouss and Ismaël Saibari.
The Moroccan offensive armada
Morocco will always be able to count on two of the most decisive players in this 2025 African Cup of Nations. More discreet against Nigeria, Brahim Diaz remains a permanent danger for opposing defenses. “Brahim has changed a lot in terms of mentality,” assured Regragui at a press conference this Friday. He comes with a lot of desire. He knows he has to make a difference. The most important thing is how he leads the offensive phases. »
With his four goals since the start of the competition, including two superb acrobatic gestures, Ayoub El Kaabi is also poison for his opponents. The talented Ez Abde completes the attacking trio.
The probable compositions of Senegal – Senegal
Senegal: E. Mendy – Diatt, Niakhat, Mr. Sarr, EHM. Sy
Morocco : Bounou – Hakimi (cap.), Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui – El Aynaoui, El Khannouss, Saibari – Brahim Diaz, El Kaabi, Ezzalzouli
The Lions of Teranga will have to do without two of their executives. Suspended for the final for accumulation of yellow cards, Kalidou Koulibaly, who was also injured against Nigeria, and Habib Diarra will have to watch their friends play the match of their dreams from the stands. Without two of his best players, Pape Thiaw will have to make strong choices.
Last CAN match for Sadio Mané
To replace his captain in central defense, the name of Strasbourg Mamadou Sarr naturally stood out, he who had already had to replace his teammate during the first period of the semi-final after his injury. At his side, Moussa Niakhaté is still the indisputable starter. “We want to bring the Cup back to our families, to Dakar, and we are going to give our all to get there,” the Lyon defender proclaimed to journalists. On the sides of the defense which will protect Édouard Mendy will take place two of Pape Thiaw’s strong men, Krépin Diatta and El-Hadji Malick Diouf.
In the absence of Habib Diarra, Monegasque Lamine Camara will take over to support Pape Gueye and evening captain Idrissa Gueye. The second best attack in the CAN (12 goals) will be proudly represented by Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson and especially Sadio Mané.
By scoring the winning goal against Egypt at the end of the match, the Teranga Lions star reminded all of Africa of the player who was. There is no doubt that the Al-Nassr striker will be there for the last African Cup of Nations match of his career.
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