Factfile For Africa Cup Of Nations Champions Senegal

Senegal, the 2025 African Cup of Nations champion, has a fact file (aet denotes after extra time):

Path to glory: Group D – Botswana 3-0, Democratic Republic of Congo 1-1, Benin 3-0, Last 16 – Sudan 3-1, Quarter-final – Mali 1-0, Semi-final – Egypt 1-0, Final – Morocco 1-0 aet

Scorers: 3 –  Pape Gueye; 2 – Nicolas Jackson; Sadio Mane; Cherif Ndiaye; 1 – Habib Diallo; Mbaye; Iliman Ndiaye; and Abdoulaye Seck

Read more about Senegal’s victory over Morocco in extra time.

Idrissa Gueye, a midfielder, is the captain. (First-choice Kalidou Koulibaly suspended)

SEN coach: Pape Thiaw

Rankings: 19 world countries, 2 Africa.

17 previous appearances

Best placings: Champions 2022, 2025

Most goals scored: Ethiopia 5-1 (1965)

Most goals conceded: Angola 1-3 (2008)

Senegal Stun Morocco In Extra Time to Clinch Second AFCON Title

In a game marred by ugly incidents following a controversial penalty award, Senegal triumphed 1-0 in extra-time against Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.

After Morocco received a spot-kick in injury time at the end of regular time, several Senegal players walked out in disgrace and brats broke out among their supporters.

After a nearly 20-minute delay, the game resumed with Brahim Diaz’s penalty saved, allowing Gueye to score before Senegal held on to clinch the continent’s second-place finish.

AFCON Final Live Updates: Senegal Vs Morocco

At Rabat’s 69, 000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, two teams will compete for the ultimate prize for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which began with 24 teams.

When Morocco and Senegal square off in tonight’s final, former champions Morocco and Senegal will be aiming to win a second AFCON title, with football fans from all over the world anticipating a thrilling battle for the prize.

It has been 50 years since hosts Morocco last won the trophy, setting the stage for a grueling battle as both teams vie for a second continental crown despite Senegal winning their only AFCON title in Cameroon in 2021.

The Senegalese vs. Morocco AFCON 2025 final is available on Channels Television. Refresh this page to get a detailed account of this highly anticipated encounter.

Senegal 0: 0 Morocco 0: 0 Half-time

Senegal were more dangerous than Morocco, with Bounou making two incredible saves to keep Morocco in the game despite both teams having three shots each.

Bounou comes to the rescue at the age of 38! The keeper blocks with his right shin to force a corner, but Nyiaye breaks free on the right and fires at the far post. Morocco eliminates the threat.

A 33-foot Ezzalzouli kicks the box, but it sails over.
He kicks the Senegalese goal with an excessive amount of height and curl on it before it drifts past the back post.

Mazraoui is lowered 31 feet! The Manchester United defender is obviously hurt when Ndiaye’s late challenge knocks him to the ground.
On the left flank, Morocco scores a free kick.

After a late sliding tackle on El Aynaoui, Camara receives the match’s first yellow, leaving Moroccan players and fans furious.

The effort of 14′ Saibari is flashy far from the intended target. Sabari launches a fierce shot into the left of the near post before flying in valiantly. Morocco still wins 0 to 0 in Senegal.

Morocco attacks 9′! The box is begged when Ezzalzouli lands a squared ball inside.

Senegal’s 6’10” secures the match’s opening corner. It is delivered to the back post using a left-handed approach.

Papa Gueye attempts to direct his header across goal, but Bounou manages to get a right-side corner.

20: 20&nbsp, Kick Off

‘Proud’ Venus Williams, 45, Exits Australian Open After Epic Battle

Venus Williams, the oldest woman to play at the Australian Open on Sunday, admitted she was proud of herself despite facing the first obstacle.

Also available:   Venus Williams Still Feeling The Fire Ahead Of The Australian Open Record

Five years after her last major appearance, the 45-year-old American, who has seven Grand Slams, was given a wildcard for Melbourne.

It attracted some criticism because it stifled a younger player, which was made worse by Williams’ first-round defeats at both of her warm-up matches.

The 24-year-old Serbian Olga Danilovic pushed her all the way before losing her final six games to fall apart 6-7 (5 / 7), 6-3, 6-4 in a grueling two hours and 17 minutes.

“It was a fantastic game and moment,” he continued. The crowd had a fantastic time. That really made me feel so much,” Williams said.

She had a fantastic game. Also, a little luck there, too. Simply put, that sport. Sometimes that’s how things work.

She continued, “I’m really proud of my effort today because I’m getting better with each match and getting there,” she continued.

She continued, “I’m just going to have to keep going forward and working on myself and trying to control my errors.”

The former world number one, who is now ranked 578, made a promising start by breaking Danilovic’s first service game after receiving a standing ovation.

However, the Serb quickly retaliated, helping her level the set with a clever net cord.

As the set progressed to a tiebreak, Williams sent down powerful serves and showed no signs of stalling as the game moved to a tiebreak, where she fell 2-0 behind before rallying to win it with a convincing forehand winner.

Williams had no luck in getting an early break in the second set, which gave Danilovic a 4-0 lead in the final set.

But she lost her way, allowing Danilovic to win the crucial 14-and-a-half-minute ninth game, which ended up being crucial.

Williams scored six game points but were unable to convert, and the Serb won the game with a win over her second break point.

Not simple, Danilovic remarked. There were a lot of nerves there. I recently said to myself, “OK, just play, just take everything out, and just play point by point.”

“I’m very happy I got this one, but it was so enjoyable playing such a legend,” I said.

Williams, who first appeared at Melbourne Park in 1998, hasn’t played much in recent years.

She won the doubles title four times, along with sister Serena, and was a five-time champion at Wimbledon. She also won the title four times at the Australian Open in 2003 and 2017.

Kimiko Date, 44, was the oldest woman to compete in singles at the Australian Open before losing in the first round in 2015.

‘We’re The Best Team,’ Akor Adams Praises Super Eagles’ Unity After AFCON Bronze Finish

After a strong performance at the AFCON tournament in Morocco, which ended with a bronze medal finish, Super Eagles forward Akor Adams praised the spirit and cohesion among the Nigerian team.

Adams believes the squad’s success in the competition highlights the level of the squad, which they recorded, recording five victories before eventually falling to the hosts on penalties in the semi-finals.

The best is us. The best team is ours. We were seeking the gold, but we did not receive it. We are proud of what we did. We have a very strong group. ”

Also read: FG Hails Super Eagles On AFCON Bronze: ‘You Inspired Millions,’

After beating Egypt 4-2 on penalties on Saturday, Adams said in a post-match interview that everyone is coming home with a better friendship with the next player and as a better person.

The striker praised head coach Eric Chelle for creating a unified and disciplined organization in a short period of time.

Eric Chelle has done a lot for us as a group in the last three weeks, and we are all grateful for that. He made us a better version of ourselves.

He has given me the chance to represent my beloved Nigeria. ”

On the eve of Morocco and Nigeria’s semi-final football game, the head coach of Nigeria, Eric Chelle, reacts during a training session at the Mohammed VI football complex in Rabat, Morocco, on January 13, 2026. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)

The forward’s personal difficulties were also brought on by his mother’s illness during the tournament.

Adams praised the support his family received despite describing the time as emotionally demanding.

Things will happen in between, just like there is in every other tournament, and there are family issues.

I appreciate that it wasn’t anything obstructive or out of control. The CAF medical team cared for her, and I’m also appreciative of that. She is now much better, and I’m happy to have shared this experience. ”

Adams acknowledged that the bronze medal still evoked conflicting emotions despite the team’s pride in their accomplishments.

The most crucial thing is that we won, he said, adding that celebrations would be modest.

Some people left with nothing and then returned. We’ll just try to eat first, then return to the hotel, and see what happens next. ”

The Super Eagles’ debut major international tournament for the Sevilla forward is still largely positive, according to the Sevilla forward.

For me, everything is positive. My first time doing it. It’s positive because there is nothing to contrast it with, he said.

He also spoke about incidents involving fan behavior during the tournament, citing the need for respect and sportsmanship in all forms of football.

Hosts Morocco Ready For Battle With Mane’s Senegal In AFCON Final

Morocco hosts Morocco, who will face Senegal for the first time in 50 years, as the continent’s two top footballing powerhouses come to an end in the continent’s final showdown on Sunday.

The match will begin at 1900 GMT at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where almost all of the 69, 000 spectators will support the country’s side led by African player of the year Achraf Hakimi.

Read more about Nwabali’s heroics as Nigeria defeated Egypt to earn bronze at the Olympics.

The Atlas Lions hope to win the first AFCON that has ever started in one year and ended in another, with the host nation hoping to do so in Abidjan in 2024.

Morocco, which reached a World Cup semi-final in 2022 as a first-ever nation under the leadership of Africa, has established itself in recent years as the country’s top national team, just above Italy.

However, they have struggled in the AFCON, with their only title having been in 1976. With Regragui on the team, they will reach their first final since 2004, when they lost to Tunisia.

Meanwhile, Senegal are making their third final of four games and aiming for a second title in place of their 2022 success, when Mane scored the decisive penalty in a shoot-out victory over Egypt in Yaounde.

(COMBO) This set of images features Morocco’s Walid Regragui on January 9 and Senegal’s Pape Thiaw (L) on January 14 in Tangiers, as well as Morocco’s Pape Thiaw (L) and Pape Thiaw (L) on January 9, 2026. On January 18, 2026, Morocco and Senegal will square off in Rabat’s final game of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football championship. (Photo by Paul ELLIS and SEBASTIEN BOZON of the AFP)

Regragui told reporters in the Moroccan capital on Saturday, “We dreamed of being here, and we have accomplished it.”

If he hadn’t at least led the team this far, he might not have been able to carry the title with him for the football-mad nation.

He continued, “I hope this is just the beginning, not our final AFCON final.”

“Big football nations aim to compete regularly.” We want to make history today (Sunday).

Senegal will need to be extraordinarily strong to defeat them at home, he continued.

The success of Morocco over the past four weeks has been attributed to Real Madrid’s winger Brahim Diaz’s attacking flair, which has allowed only five goals in the competition, as well as a defense that has conceded just once, as well as a penalty in a group-stage draw with Mali.

– Security concerns

This picture, which was taken on January 16, 2026, combines Senegal’s No. 16 Edouard Mendy with Morocco’s No. 01 Yassine Bounou for the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Rabat on January 9, 2026. On January 18, 2026, Morocco and Senegal will square off in Rabat’s final game of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football championship. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT and Paul ELLIS, AFP)

Senegal have complained about the manner in which they were welcomed to Rabat ahead of the game, which adds extra pressure but can also be very advantageous.

Before arriving in Rabat by train on Friday, The Lions of Teranga spent the majority of their time in Tangiers, the city’s northern port city.

The Senegalese Football Federation expressed “serious concerns” in a statement, including “a lack of adequate security” for the team’s arrival, which “put the players and staff in danger.”

Additionally, it complained about the hotel the delegation received, the fact that there were fewer than 3, 000 tickets for the final for their supporters, and the Moroccan team’s nearby Sale training facility.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw remarked, “What happened was not normal.”

Anything could have happened, given the number there, they said. My players were in danger, I imagine.

That kind of interaction shouldn’t take place between two neighboring nations.

Mane, a two-time African player of the year winner, declared that Sunday’s game would be his final AFCON appearance after scoring the winner against Egypt in the semi-final.

Amazingly, Thiaw insisted that the former Liverpool player might not have had to reconsider his choice on the eve of the game.

I believe he made his decision in the midst of controversy, and I, the national team’s coach, do not agree, Thiaw said.