By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca enroute Tangier

Former Liverpool teammates Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah will face each other on opposing sides for the first time in three years on Wednesday when Senegal will meet Egypt in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The last-four clash, scheduled for the Moroccan city of Tangier, marks the first occasion Mané and Salah have shared the same pitch since Liverpool lost to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final in May 2022.

Soon after that defeat, Mané departed Liverpool for Bayern Munich, before moving on to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League a year later. Salah, meanwhile, has remained at Liverpool despite persistent links with a switch to Saudi Arabia and a challenging period under new coach Arne Slot before the Cup of Nations.

The Egypt captain has been in outstanding form in Morocco, scoring four goals in four matches to drive the Pharaohs’ run to the semi-finals. The tournament represents another chance for Salah to secure his first Africa Cup of Nations title, a prize that has so far eluded him.

With his 34th birthday approaching in June, time is becoming a factor for Salah, who has twice tasted final heartbreak.

He was part of the Egypt side beaten by Cameroon in the 2017 final in Gabon, and then captained the team that lost on penalties to Senegal in the 2022 final in Yaoundé.

Wednesday’s showdown adds another chapter to the Mané–Salah rivalry, with a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final at stake and both stars seeking to tilt the balance of recent history in their favour

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By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca

Away from the roar of stadiums and the tension of Africa Cup of Nations semi-final battles, a different side of Morocco came into focus in Casablanca.

Facilitated by the Moroccan National Association of Media and Publishers, visiting journalists were hosted at CFC First, the flagship complex of Casablanca Finance City—a modern business district redefining Morocco’s economic identity.

From a tourist’s perspective, the contrast was striking. Casablanca’s older quarters tell stories of colonial history and Atlantic resilience, but CFC First speaks the language of the future. Sleek glass towers, wide boulevards and carefully landscaped spaces present an image more commonly associated with global financial capitals than a traditional North African city.

According to the tour guide, Marzouk Abdeltif, the place was previously used as an air strip before it was converted to an economic nerve centre. Virtually all global brands have offices at the CFC. There are incentives to make them stay and even attract more global brands.

The ease of doing business in Morocco is so attractive that the kingdom is fast becoming an economic hub, not just in Africa, but across the globe.

CFC First stands at the heart of Casablanca Finance City, a project launched in the 2010s to position Morocco as a leading financial and business gateway to Africa.

The financial hub as observed from one of the adjornig highrise buildings.

The hub hosts multinational corporations, regional headquarters, banks, insurance firms, consulting companies and fintech operators, all drawn by Morocco’s political stability, strategic location and investor-friendly reforms.

Guided through the district, visitors quickly grasp how the project has impacted the Moroccan economy.

Casablanca Finance City has attracted billions of dollars in foreign direct investment, created thousands of high-skilled jobs and strengthened Morocco’s role as a bridge between Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Many companies operating from CFC coordinate activities across West and Central Africa, making Casablanca a decision-making centre for the continent.

The economic ripple effects extend beyond finance. Real estate development, hospitality, transport and professional services have all expanded alongside the hub. Cafés, hotels and residential projects surrounding CFC First reflect a growing expatriate and professional community, contributing to Casablanca’s evolving urban lifestyle.

For journalists in town primarily for football, the visit offered a broader narrative. Just as Morocco has demonstrated organisational excellence in hosting the Africa Cup of Nations, Casablanca Finance City reflects long-term planning and economic ambition.

The same efficiency seen in match logistics and media coordination is mirrored in boardrooms and trading floors.

As the AFCON drama continued elsewhere, CFC First quietly underscored another Moroccan success story—one measured not in goals or trophies, but in capital flows, continental influence and sustainable growth. For visitors, it was a reminder that beyond the passion of football, Morocco is steadily positioning itself as one of Africa’s most important economic hubs.

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By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca

The Confederation of African Football has opened formal disciplinary proceedings following incidents recorded during the quarter-final matches of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.

In a statement released, CAF confirmed that it had collected recent match reports and reviewed video evidence pointing to potentially unacceptable behaviour involving some players and officials during the quarter-final fixtures between Cameroon and Morocco, as well as Algeria and Nigeria.

CAF disclosed that the matters have been formally referred to its Disciplinary Board for investigation, stressing that appropriate sanctions would be imposed should any individuals be found guilty of wrongdoing.

In addition to on-field and technical area incidents, CAF revealed that it is also reviewing footage related to an alleged case of misconduct involving members of the media in the mixed zone area after one of the quarter-final matches.

The continental body reiterated its firm stance against any form of inappropriate behaviour at its competitions, particularly actions directed at match officials or tournament organisers.

“CAF strongly condemns any behaviour that falls short of professional standards during its events,” the statement said. “Appropriate action will be sought against anyone whose conduct is inconsistent with the values and regulations of CAF competitions.”

The outcome of the investigations is expected to be communicated in due course, as the tournament approaches its decisive semi-final stage.

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