AFCON
From Final Heartbreak to Final Hope: Morocco’s Regragui and Senegal’s Thiaw Chase Redemption in Rabat
By Kunle Solaja, Marrakech
When Morocco and Senegal walk out at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday for the Africa Cup of Nations final, two men on opposite benches will be united by a shared history of heartbreak – and a burning desire for redemption, with Nigeria woven into both of their painful journeys.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui and his Senegal counterpart Pape Thiaw both know what it feels like to lose an AFCON final as players – and in both cases, their road to heartbreak passed through Nigeria.
Thiaw was part of the Senegal squad that reached the 2002 final, defeating Nigeria 2–1 after extra time in the semi-finals, only to suffer the agony of a penalty shootout loss to defending champions Cameroon after a goalless draw in the decider.
Two years later, Regragui played in the Morocco side that opened the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations by beating Nigeria 1–0, before going on to reach the final, where the Atlas Lions were edged 2–1 by hosts Tunisia.
Now, more than two decades on, both men return to the biggest stage in African football with a chance to rewrite their personal histories.
Senegal have since played in two further finals, losing to Algeria in 2019 before lifting the trophy for the first time in 2021 after defeating Egypt on penalties. For Thiaw, that long road from near-miss to triumph has shaped a coaching career built on resilience and belief.
Morocco’s journey has been longer and more frustrating. Before this tournament, the Atlas Lions had failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals in eight successive AFCON appearances since finishing runners-up in 2004.
That narrative changed under Regragui, the man who transformed Moroccan football with a historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, stunning Belgium, Spain and Portugal along the way.
Appointed just three months before the World Cup after the dismissal of Vahid Halilhodzic, Regragui led Morocco to become the first African and Arab nation to reach the last four of the global showpiece, resetting expectations back home and across the continent.
Yet that success brought its own pressure. Morocco arrived at the 2025 AFCON as overwhelming favourites, only to be humbled by South Africa in the round of 16 – a setback Regragui says taught the team a vital lesson in humility.
“We have not won the AFCON for 50 years because we lacked humility in many tournaments,” Regragui said. “My job is to keep our feet on the ground. We came here with confidence, but nothing is guaranteed.”
Rejuvenated and re-focused, Morocco now stands one victory away from ending a half-century wait for a second continental title, their first since the 1976 triumph in Ethiopia.
For Thiaw, the final is another chapter in a remarkable rise. After guiding Senegal’s home-based side to African Nations Championship glory in 2023, he took charge of the senior national team in December 2024 and has lost just once since, to Brazil in a London friendly.
Dakar-born and capped 16 times, Thiaw brings the scars of 2002 – and the lessons of beating Nigeria before falling at the final hurdle – into Sunday’s showdown.
In Rabat, the Africa Cup of Nations final will be more than a battle for silverware. It will be a collision of two journeys shaped by pain, patience and perseverance – and for one of these coaches, a chance to finally turn final-day heartbreak into history.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Top of Form
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
JOIN THE SPORTS VILLAGE SQUARE CHANNEL ON:
https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Nigeria’s Olympic Foes Arrive After Incredible 30-0 Aggregate Rout of Sudan
Akwa Ibom Celebrates Taekwondo Gold Medallist Udobong After National Open Trials Triumph
Iranian World Cup players will be able to enter US the day before matches, DHS says
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup1 week ago
Attack-minded Ivorians bullish ahead of World Cup return
- World Cup6 days ago
Rema, Davido, Burna Boy and Ayra Starr Make FIFA’s Star-Studded World Cup 2026 Official Album
- World Cup5 days ago
FIFA bans vuvuzelas from World Cup stadiums
- World Cup5 days ago
Shakira to Headline FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony in Mexico
- International Football2 days ago
Eriksen Suffers Fresh Collapse During Denmark Friendly, Reviving Memories of Euro 2020 Ordeal
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Soname Rewards Flamingos with N4.5m Goal Bonus After Guinea Rout
- World Cup1 week ago
Behold! Nigeria’s Gift to the World Cup: 11 Stars, No Super Eagles
- World Cup3 days ago
Pelé’s 1970 World Cup Hideaway Becomes Tourist Attraction as Mexico Hosts Tournament for Record Third Time