The Albany Gazette - Morocco expects as hosts face Senegal in Cup of Nations final

The Moroccans came into the competition on home soil having emerged as Africa's leading national team since becoming the first side from the continent to reach the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar in 2022.

Ranked 11th in the world, above Italy, the Atlas Lions have not lost since going out of the 2024 Cup of Nations to South Africa in the last 16 and are captained by the current African footballer of the year, Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi.

However, all of that means there has been enormous pressure on Morocco to deliver since the beginning of this tournament, the first AFCON to start in one year and end in another.

Morocco have played all of their matches at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital Rabat, where they were booed by their own supporters at times during the group stage but have won over their demanding fans as the tournament has advanced.

After the commanding win over Cameroon in the quarter-finals and a nerve-jangling triumph on penalties against Nigeria in Wednesday's semi-final, close to 70,000 Moroccan fans will fill the stadium hoping to see their team take the trophy.

"I think we deserve to be in the final. We have played top teams like Mali, Cameroon and Nigeria, and now we will be facing another of the best teams," said coach Walid Regragui, who has faced regular criticism from an expectant public.

"Eventually people are going to accept that Morocco are actually a major football nation. But to go to the next step we have to win titles, so Sunday's match is really important in terms of our history."

Regragui is mindful of the country's underwhelming record in the tournament.

The French-born coach played in the last Morocco side to come this far, when they lost to hosts Tunisia in 2004, and this time wants to go one better.

If he does not, then the chances are he will no longer be in charge by the time the World Cup starts in June.

"Even if we had been knocked out in the first round, that would not have prevented me believing in myself and telling myself I am a good coach," Regragui said when asked about the criticism.

"What I have done in the past cannot be taken away from me. I am not expecting people to give me anything. I am not claiming to be the best. The most important thing is that Morocco are in the final."

- Mane's AFCON farewell -

However, the hosts could not have asked for a tougher opponent than Senegal, who are Africa's second-best side in the rankings and are into their third final in four editions of AFCON.

After losing to Algeria in Cairo in 2019, the Lions of Teranga won the title for the first time in Yaounde in 2022 when they defeated Egypt on penalties.

Knocked out by Ivory Coast in the last 16 in 2024, they bounced back to qualify for the World Cup and have now reached the final here -- a Mane strike saw them defeat Egypt in the last four.

It is a vastly experienced Senegal side, but therefore an ageing one -- Mane, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, skipper Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye are all aged between 33 and 36.

Former Liverpool star Mane even said after the Egypt game that the final would be his last Cup of Nations match.

"I am a soldier of the nation, and I try to give my all every day, whether in training or in matches," Mane said.

"But that's not the most important thing for me. The most important thing is to bring this cup to Dakar."

Centre-back Koulibaly will miss the game through suspension, which is a big blow for Senegal in a final between two outstanding defences -- they have let in three goals between them at the tournament.

It may not be an open, high-scoring final, but it will be tense, and how Morocco handle the pressure will be key.

(K.Lee--TAG)