Senegal’s national team clinched the title of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating their Moroccan counterpart with a score of 1-0 in the final match held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. This victory adds a second title to the “Lions of Teranga’s” record, following their first triumph in 2021.
The match was characterized by excitement and competitiveness, featuring a disallowed goal for Senegal in the 93rd minute and a penalty awarded to Morocco in stoppage time, which player Ibrahim Diaz missed. The encounter then moved into extra time, where Senegalese player Pape Gueye secured the winning goal.
The game was not without tension, as Senegal’s players temporarily left the field in protest of a referee’s decision before returning to complete the match amidst a charged atmosphere.
The tournament set a new record for the number of goals scored, reaching 121 goals and surpassing the previous record set during the 2019 edition in Egypt. The champion’s prize money amounted to ten million dollars, the highest in the competition’s history.
With this achievement, Senegal has reinforced its position as a prominent football force on the African continent, while Morocco’s dream of securing a second title remains pending since its sole victory in 1976.
Senegal
Senegal is a West African nation known for its rich cultural heritage and history as a center of several pre-colonial empires and later French colonial rule. It is home to significant sites like Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site that memorializes the Atlantic slave trade, and the Grand Mosque of Touba, a major spiritual center. The country is celebrated for its traditions of Teranga (hospitality), vibrant music like mbalax, and its role as a stable democracy in the region.
Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations is the premier international men’s football competition in Africa, first held in 1957. It was founded to unite African nations emerging from colonialism and is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Morocco
Morocco is a North African country with a rich history shaped by indigenous Amazigh (Berber) cultures, Arab influence from the 7th century, and successive dynasties like the Almoravids and Almohads. Its cultural sites, such as the ancient city of Fez and the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, reflect this blend of Arab, Islamic, and Amazigh heritage. The country’s historic medinas, kasbahs, and varied landscapes from the Sahara to the Atlas Mountains are central to its identity.
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is a major sports venue in Rabat, Morocco, named after Prince Moulay Abdellah, the brother of King Hassan II. It was originally constructed in 1983 and later renovated to host the 2019 African Games, serving as a key site for football matches and athletic competitions.
Rabat
Rabat is the capital city of Morocco, founded in the 12th century as a ribat (fortified monastery) by the Almohad Caliphate. It is now a modern political and administrative center, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved historic quarters, including the Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower, and Chellah necropolis.
Lions of Teranga
The “Lions of Teranga” is the affectionate nickname for the Senegal national football team, inspired by the country’s national symbol, the lion, and the Wolof concept of “Teranga” meaning hospitality. The team has a significant history in African football, having won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 2022 and consistently producing world-class talent that competes at the highest international levels.
Egypt
Egypt is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over 5,000 years and famed for its pharaohs, pyramids, and monuments along the Nile River. Its cultural landscape is dominated by iconic ancient sites like the Giza pyramid complex and the Valley of the Kings, alongside later influences from Greco-Roman, Coptic Christian, and Islamic periods.
