Senegal’s quest for a second Africa Cup of Nations crown has been dealt a significant setback on the eve of Sunday’s grand finale against hosts Morocco, with two key figures ruled out of the title decider.
Teranga Lions captain Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Mouhamadou Habib Diarra will both miss the final after picking up their second yellow cards of the tournament, triggering automatic suspensions.
The pair were first cautioned during Senegal’s tense quarter-final victory over Mali on 9 January 2026, before seeing yellow again in the hard-fought semi-final clash against Egypt on 14 January 2026. To compound Senegal’s concerns, Koulibaly was also forced off against Egypt after suffering a knock, casting further doubt over his physical condition even without the suspension.
Their absence represents a major challenge for head coach Pape Thiaw, with Koulibaly’s leadership and defensive authority, as well as Diarra’s energy in midfield, central to Senegal’s impressive run to the final.
Senegal are aiming to lift their second AFCON trophy, having last tasted continental glory in 2021. Standing in their way are a determined Moroccan side, buoyed by home support and chasing only their second title since their historic triumph in 1976.
Senegal vs Morocco: Key numbers, records, points ahead of the AFCON final
Adding emotional weight to the occasion, Senegal talisman Sadio Mané has hinted that this tournament could mark the end of his AFCON journey. The Al-Nassr forward is desperate to bow out on a high.
“I long for victory on Sunday because this is likely to be my last AFCON” Mane stated.
With two influential players unavailable, Thiaw faces a tactical puzzle as he looks to reshape his lineup and maintain Senegal’s balance against a well-organised Moroccan outfit.
Senegal’s path to the final
Senegal’s journey to the final has been defined by efficiency at both ends of the pitch. The defending champions have scored 12 goals while conceding just two, underlining their defensive solidity and attacking sharpness.
They opened their Group D campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Botswana, before being held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo. A second emphatic 3-0 victory, this time against Benin, sealed top spot in the group.
In the knockout stages, Senegal showed resilience and character. They overturned an early deficit to defeat Sudan 3-1 in the round of 16, edged past Mali 1-0 in a bruising quarter-final, and finally relied on Mané’s decisive strike to overcome Egypt 1-0 in the semi-finals.
AFCON 2025: Schedule, results and standings of the Africa Cup of Nations
Senegal results at AFCON 2025
- Senegal 3-0 Botswana (Group D)
- Senegal 1-1 DR Congo (Group D)
- Benin 0-3 Senegal (Group D)
| Team | G | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Senegal | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +6 | 7 |
| DR Congo | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +4 | 7 |
| Benin | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
| Botswana | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -7 | 0 |
- Senegal 3-1 Sudan (Round of 16)
- Mali 0-1 Senegal (Quarter-final)
- Senegal 1-0 Egypt (Semi-final)
Morocco’s path to the final
Morocco have also enjoyed a strong tournament on home soil, blending defensive discipline with moments of attacking flair. They began Group A with a 2-0 win over Comoros, followed by a 1-1 draw with Mali, before dismantling Zambia 3-0 to progress comfortably.
The Atlas Lions edged past Tanzania 1-0 in the round of 16, produced a composed 2-0 victory over Cameroon in the quarter-finals, and then held their nerve in a dramatic semi-final against Nigeria, advancing via penalties after a goalless draw.
AFCON 2025 final: Senegal vs Morocco – where to watch, preview, team news
Morocco results at AFCON 2025
- Morocco 2-0 Comoros (Group A)
- Morocco 1-1 Mali (Group A)
- Zambia 0-3 Morocco (Group A)
| Team | G | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Morocco | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +5 | 7 |
| Mali | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Comoros | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -2 | 2 |
| Zambia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -3 | 2 |
- Tanzania 0-1 Morocco (Round of 16)
- Cameroon 0-2 Morocco (Quarter-final)
- Nigeria 0 (2) – 0 (4) Morocco (Semi-final)
As Rabat prepares for a historic night, Senegal must summon depth, belief, and tactical ingenuity to overcome their suspensions and deny Morocco a fairytale ending on home soil.
