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The Africa Cup of Nations final takes place in Rabat on Sunday.

Host nation Morocco face the attacking power of an impressive Senegal side for the right to be crowned kings of Africa. Nigeria claimed the bronze medal by beating Egypt on penalties in Saturday’s third-place playoff.

This is arguably the biggest AFCON game in Morocco’s history, given their relative lack of trophies and the fact this final takes place in front of a vociferous home crowd. Senegal, however, have been quality performers over the past month and will provide a major test for Walid Regragui’s team.

The Sporting News is following the game live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights below.

Senegal vs. Morocco AFCON final live score

Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (Rabat, Morocco)
Referee: Jean‑Jacques Ngambo Ndala (DR Congo)

Keep track of every game and every goal today via SN’s live scoreboard

Starting lineups:

Senegal (4-2-2-2, right to left): E. Mendy (GK) — A. Mendy, M. Sarr, Niakhate, E. Diouf — L. Camara, I. Gueye — I. Ndiaye, P. Gueye — Jackson, Mane

Morocco (4-3-3, right to left): Bono (GK) — Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui — Abde Ezzalzouli, El Aynaoui, Saibari — El Khannouss, El Kaabi, B. Diaz

MORE: Morocco’s history in AFCON finals | How many times have Senegal won?

Senegal vs. Morocco AFCON final live updates, highlights, and commentary

22 mins: The game has hit a bit of a lull. Morocco are having more of the ball, and the fans are starting to build some noise, but there has been little by way of goalmouth action. A typical final, you might argue.

14 mins: PSV’s Ismael Saibari forays forward and has room for a shot on the edge of the box. He shanks the effort, badly.

11 mins: Unsurprisingly, it’s been a scrappy first 10 minutes. Senegal have done a good job of quieting the home crowd here. There’s a lot of early tension.

5 mins: Big chance for Pape Gueye! A Senegal corner towards the far post finds the head of the Villarreal midfielder, but Yassine Bono reacts well to block his effort after being caught out of position.

Kickoff: First half

Here we go!

Pregame: Today’s host venue, the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

📍Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat #SenegalMaroc | #FinalAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/ReH2qpm94h

— Equipe du Sénégal (@GaindeYi) January 18, 2026

Pregame: Sadio Mane has won just about every trophy going in his career, including the AFCON in 2021. He’s still setting records at the age of 33. If Senegal win here, could the ex-Liverpool man be considered Africa’s greatest ever player?

18 – Senegal’s Sadio Mané has created the most chances (18) at the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, with all 18 coming from open play – this is the most chances created from open play by anyone in a single #AFCON edition on record (since 2010). Catalyst. pic.twitter.com/UgAikqv6wF

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 18, 2026

Pregame: We’re not necessarily expecting a goal-fest!

13 – The last 13 AFCON finals have either been decided by a single goal or gone to penalties.

The last final won by more than one goal was Egypt’s 2-0 victory over South Africa in 1998.

Tense 🇸🇳🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/iJFUOIsqx3

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 16, 2026

Pregame: It’s AFCON final day!

🤩🤩🤩CAF and PUMA unveil special version of Official Match Ball ITRI for TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 Final.

🔗https://t.co/x7muPIRWaP#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/VTCrPxZkYw

— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) January 16, 2026

Senegal vs. Morocco AFCON final kick off time

The AFCON final kicks off at 8 p.m. local time in Rabat, Morocco.

Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:

Senegal vs. Morocco lineups, team news

The big absentee for Senegal is captain and centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, who is suspended for this match due to yellow-card accumulation in the knockouts. He is also suffering from a muscle problem, so he would likely have been a major doubt for this game anyway.

Senegal starting lineup (4-2-2-2, right to left): E. Mendy (GK) — A. Mendy, M. Sarr, Niakhate, E. Diouf — L. Camara, I. Gueye — I. Ndiaye, P. Gueye — Jackson, Mane

Senegal subs: Y. Diouf, Seck, Ciss, Dia, C. Ndiaye, Jakobs, Diatta, P. Sarr, I. Sarr, Diallo, Sabaly, Niang, Diaw, Mbaye, M. Camara

Azzedine Ounahi is set to miss out due to a leg injury, but the hosts are otherwise in good shape ahead of arguably their biggest ever AFCON game.

Morocco starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Bono (GK) — Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui — Abde Ezzalzouli, El Aynaoui, Saibari — El Khannouss, El Kaabi, B. Diaz

Morocco subs: Amrabat, Saiss, Igamane, Rahimi, Mohamedi, Targhalline, Chibi, Akhomach, El Yamiq, En-Nesyri, Talbi, Al Harrar, Salah-Eddine, Ait Boudlal, Belammari

Senegal vs. Morocco AFCON final live stream, TV channel

Here is how to watch the match in some of the world’s major regions: