By Martin Graham
the morocco they carry the expectations of their supporters as they prepare to face Senegal in the deciding match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Playing at home in Rabat, the North African side will contest the final against opponents who have become regulars at the business end of the tournament in recent editions.
Their path to the showdown was anything but simple. A tense semi-final against Nigeria remained goalless for two hours of play, with the hosts only progressing via a penalty shoot-out. Now awaiting them is a Senegal side who contested a fourth title game in the last four competitions, a level of recent consistency that their rivals cannot match.
A solitary triumph in a unique format
The Atlas Lions’ only continental crown came half a century ago in the 1976 final in Ethiopia. That edition differed from modern tournaments in that no championship match was organized to decide the winner.
Instead, eight teams were split into two opening groups, with the top teams advancing to a second-round group. Victories over Egypt and Nigeria by identical 2-1 margins put Morocco in control ahead of a final clash with Guinea, who also had a chance to claim the trophy.
An early goal before the break gave Guinea the lead, but a late effort from midfielder Ahmed Makrouh, who scored four minutes from time, turned the tide and secured the title.
Near misses and a final defeat
In the years following their breakthrough, Morocco regularly progressed in the competition without lifting the trophy again. They exited the semi-final stage three times between 1980 and 1988.
The only return to a decider was in 2004. That campaign ended in disappointment as Tunisia ran out 2-1 winners in a final contested between neighboring nations.
Reversal of accommodation and exclusion from the tournament
Morocco was initially slated to host the 2015 edition of the tournament. However, concerns raised by national authorities in late 2014 about the Ebola outbreak in West Africa led to a request for a delay.
When a deadline set by the Confederation of African Football passed without confirmation, hosting rights were withdrawn. The tournament was moved to Equatorial Guinea and Morocco, originally slated to participate automatically, was eliminated from the competition entirely.
