Senegal vs Morocco – Africa Cup of Nations Final (18 January 2026)
Before a ball was kicked at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the looming tactical chess match between Senegal and Morocco had already taken on the feel of history versus continuity: hosts Morocco aiming to end a 50-year wait to lift the continental crown on home soil while Senegal, holders and seasoned finalists, sought to confirm their status as Africa’s dominant force. The narrative was intensified by contrasting styles – Morocco’s disciplined structure under Walid Regragui against Senegal’s blend of physicality and experience – and by simmering off-field tensions about treatment and security in Rabat in the days leading up to kick-off.
⚠️ Injury & Absence Status Ahead of Kick-Off
Senegal Injury & Status
| Out / Ruled Out | Krépin Diatta | Illness during warm-up, unavailable for final |
| Out / Ruled Out | Kalidou Koulibaly | Suspension (yellow card accumulation) |
| Questionable | Ismaila Sarr | Ankle ligament recovery (fitness concern) |
Morocco Injury & Status
| Long-Term / IR | Azzedine Ounahi | Leg muscle injury, ruled out of AFCON |
| Questionable | Romain Saïss | Muscle injury sustained earlier in tournament |
Senegal’s build-up was complicated by late absenteeism: Monaco winger Krépin Diatta exited during the warm-up with illness, ominously removing a creative option just minutes before kick-off, while stalwart centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly was absent through suspension after accumulating bookings earlier in the competition. Veterans Ismaila Sarr’s fitness remained under a cloud due to recent ankle ligament trouble. Meanwhile Morocco’s midfield rhythm was disrupted by the absence of Azzedine Ounahi, ruled out with a leg muscle issue, and the fitness of experienced defender Romain Saïss was monitored.
🟢 Official Matchday Lineups
Senegal Starting XI
| GK | Édouard Mendy | Goalkeeper |
| DF | Moussa Niakhaté | Center Back |
| DF | Mamadou Sarr | Center Back |
| DF | El Hadji Malick Diouf | Left Back |
| MF | Idrissa Gueye | Midfield Anchor |
| FW | Sadio Mané | Forward |
Morocco Starting XI
| GK | Yassine Bounou | Goalkeeper |
| DF | Achraf Hakimi | Right Back |
| MF | Ismael Saibari | Midfield |
| MF | Brahim Díaz | Forward |
| FW | Abde Ezzalzouli | Wing |
| FW | Ayoub El Kaabi | Striker |
Coach Pape Thiaw’s lineup balanced experience with defensive solidity, banking on Mané’s creativity and Gueye’s midfield grit, while Morocco’s Regragui opted for a front-line spearheaded by Brahim Díaz to marshal home ambition.
As anticipation reached fever pitch, Moroccan press framed the match as a chance to crown a golden generation that had come agonizingly close in previous years, while Senegal were lauded for their mental resilience and tactical organisation under pressure. Both sides knew that continental glory here would echo far beyond Rabat, shaping narratives well into the 2030 World Cup cycle.
| ⚽Get Links For Full Match | |
|---|---|
| 🥅 Watch and Download | Servers# |
Watch and Download Senegal vs Morocco full match replay and highlights, At Sunday, 18, 2026. The match played at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, in Africa Cup of Nations.
| ⚽ Also Watch |
|---|
