By Kunle Solaja.

Fifty years after lifting their only Africa Cup of Nations title in Ethiopia, Morocco stands on the brink of history once again, their latest push for continental glory underpinned by years of sustained capital and human investment in football and sport-wide development.

The Atlas Lions will contest Sunday’s AFCON final in Rabat with the chance to claim a second continental crown, their first since 1976, when they conquered Africa in Addis Ababa. This time, the setting is home soil, and the occasion represents not just a footballing milestone but the culmination of a long-term national strategy.

Morocco’s return to the summit conversation has not been accidental. Over the past two decades, the country has invested heavily in modern stadiums, elite training facilities and grassroots structures, with football placed at the heart of a broader sports and youth-development agenda.

The establishment of the Mohammed VI Football Academy, now widely regarded as one of Africa’s finest talent factories, has become a symbol of that vision, producing technically sound players who now form the spine of the national team.

Those investments have been matched by a clear focus on human capital. Moroccan coaches, administrators and sports scientists have benefited from structured education pathways, while players have been exposed early to professional environments at home and abroad. The result is a generation comfortable on the biggest stages, from the Africa Cup of Nations to the FIFA World Cup, where Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022 redefined perceptions of African football.

At this tournament, Morocco’s progress has been built less on flair and more on discipline, efficiency and collective belief. Their semi-final victory over Nigeria, settled by penalties after a tense stalemate, highlighted both their resilience and the depth of preparation that now characterises the side.

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has embodied that evolution, combining European-honed experience with calm authority, while players such as Achraf Hakimi and Youssef En-Nesyri reflect the blend of technical quality and tactical intelligence cultivated over years of structured development.

Hosting the tournament has further amplified Morocco’s ambitions. The refurbished PrinceMoulay Abdellah Stadium and other venues have showcased the country’s readiness for major global events, reinforcing its credentials ahead of future international competitions.

Standing in Morocco’s path are Senegal, the 2021 champions and arguably the most complete side on the continent.

Yet for Morocco, the final represents more than a single match. It is a chance to validate decades of planning, spending and belief — and to close a 50-year circle that began with their pioneering success in Ethiopia.

Win or lose, Morocco’s presence in the final signals a nation that has aligned its vision with investment. Victory on Sunday would not only deliver a second AFCON title but also serve as the ultimate return on a long-term commitment to building football from the ground up.

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By Kunle Solaja.

Nigeria’s running penalty shootout woes resurfaced on Wednesday night in Rabat as hosts Morocco booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations final with a 4–2 shootout victory over Nigeria, following a goalless 120 minutes.

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as Morocco’s hero, saving two Nigerian penalties before Youssef En-Nesyri calmly converted the decisive spot kick to seal victory at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The defeat echoed Nigeria’s heartbreak in Morocco last November, when they crashed out of the intercontinental World Cup playoff on penalties, and it again shut the door on hopes of a fourth continental title.

Morocco, chasing a first AFCON crown in 50 years, will now face Senegal, the 2021 champions, in Sunday’s final in Rabat. Nigeria will contest the third-place playoff against Egypt a day earlier.

The semi-final itself was a tense and cagey affair, with few clear-cut chances over two hours of football. Morocco enjoyed the better opportunities and were repeatedly denied by impressive saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who was by far the busier of the two keepers.

Nigeria, despite entering the match with the tournament’s best scoring record, struggled badly in attack and offered little ambition going forward. Their most dangerous moments were fleeting, and when talisman Victor Osimhen finally found space in the box, a heavy touch let the chance slip away.

Morocco’s early promise included a headed chance falling to Ayoub El Kaabi inside the six-yard box, but hesitation cost him, while Ismael Saibari later tested Nwabali with a well-worked effort. Most of the hosts’ attempts, however, came from range and were dealt with comfortably.

The match was ultimately decided from the spot. Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi both saw their penalties saved by Bounou, leaving Morocco to complete the job and move within one win of ending a half-century wait for continental glory.

While Morocco have yet to hit top gear, their efficiency and organisation have carried them to the final. Their sternest test now awaits against a confident Senegal side led by Sadio Mane, whose winner earlier in Tangier ended Egypt’s challenge.

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By Kunle Solaja, Tangier

Senegal booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations final after a late strike from Sadio Mané sealed a 1–0 semi-final victory over Egypt on Wednesday.

Mané struck 12 minutes from time with a low, decisive effort from the edge of the penalty area to reward Senegal’s sustained dominance in a tense last-four encounter. It proved a deserved breakthrough for the Teranga Lions, who controlled possession and territory throughout as Egypt failed to register a single shot on target or win a corner before conceding.

Despite their authority, Senegal initially struggled to break down a disciplined Egyptian defence and needed a slight deflection to open the door for the winning goal. The decisive moment came after Lamine Camara’s effort from distance was blocked, with the ball falling kindly to Mané, who drilled a grass-cutting shot beyond goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.

Senegal had threatened earlier in the contest, with Nicolas Jackson firing over in the 19th minute and subsequent efforts from Habib Diarra and Pape Gueye drawing routine saves from El Shenawy. The pattern continued after the break, as Senegal dominated possession but were largely restricted to speculative attempts from range until Mané’s intervention.

The goal finally stirred Egypt into life, prompting a late tactical gamble as three strikers were introduced in a desperate bid to salvage the match. Substitute Ahmed Zizo forced Edouard Mendy into a save during stoppage time, but it was Egypt’s only meaningful attempt of the game.

Defeat ended Mohamed Salah’s hopes of claiming a first Africa Cup of Nations title with his country. The Liverpool forward, twice a losing finalist in the competition, was largely subdued and struggled to influence proceedings.

Senegal, however, faces concerns ahead of Sunday’s final. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly was forced off midway through the first half with a groin injury and will miss the decider after picking up a booking for a foul on Omar Marmoush. Diarra was also cautioned for the second game in a row and is suspended.

The reigning champions will now meet either hosts Morocco or Nigeria in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, as they chase another continental crown.

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