The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations concludes this Sunday evening with a fiery final match pitting the Moroccan national team against their Senegalese counterparts, as both sides aim to write a new chapter in the history of African football.
Morocco reached the final after a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Nigeria (4-2) following a goalless draw in regular and extra time, while Senegal qualified at the expense of Egypt with a single goal, setting up a date with the “Atlas Lions” to conclude the tournament.
The Moroccan national team enters the match armed with the advantages of home ground and crowd support, hoping to end a long absence from the winners’ podium since their sole title in 1976. Meanwhile, Senegal, led by its star Sadio Mané, aspires to add a second title after its triumph in the 2021 edition.
The match kicks off at 9:00 PM Cairo time and will be broadcast on beIN Max 1 and beIN Max 2 channels, in addition to several free African channels on Eutelsat, Hot Bird, and Arabsat satellites.
The final night recognizes neither history nor predictions, as Morocco’s dream stands before Senegal’s ambition in an anticipated showdown that has captured the attention of the entire continent.
The Teams’ Path to the Final
- Morocco: The “Atlas Lions” reached the final after a marathon semi-final match against Nigeria, which ended in a goalless draw in regular and extra time before the Moroccans secured victory in a penalty shootout (4-2). This win reignited hope for Moroccan fans who have been waiting for a second continental title since 1976.
- Senegal: For its part, the “Lions of Teranga” qualified after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Egyptian national team, confirming its strong presence in the tournament and continuing its quest to add a new title to its record after winning the 2021 edition.
Match Atmosphere
The starting whistle blows at 9:00 PM Cairo time (7:00 PM GMT), amidst a massive crowd presence reflecting the event’s significance. The Moroccan national team is armed with the advantages of home ground and crowd support, while the Senegalese team relies on the experience of its stars, foremost among them Sadio Mané, Idrissa Gueye, and Ismaïla Sarr.
Broadcast Channels
The match will be broadcast on beIN Sports channels, airing on beIN Max 1 and beIN Max 2. It is also available on several free African channels such as Canal 2 International HD, ORTM, RTB, BTV, and Arryadia TNT HD, via Eutelsat, Hot Bird, and Arabsat satellites.
Significance of the Match
- Morocco seeks to break the curse of its long absence from continental podiums, as its last title dates back nearly half a century.
- Senegal aims to confirm its status as an African football powerhouse by adding a second title to its record after its 2021 achievement.
- The match recognizes neither history nor statistics; it will be decided on the pitch, where the dream of the Moroccans stands against the ambition of the Senegalese in an exceptional football night that has captured the attention of the entire continent.
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. It is known for its diverse cultural heritage, historic imperial cities such as Marrakech and Fez, and significant sites like the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis.
Senegal
Senegal is a West African country with a rich history shaped by pre-colonial kingdoms, French colonization, and its role as a major hub in the transatlantic slave trade. It gained independence in 1960 and is known for its cultural sites like Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site memorializing the slave trade, and its vibrant traditions of music, art, and Sufi Islam.
Nigeria
Nigeria is a West African country with a rich history shaped by ancient kingdoms like the Nri and Benin, as well as the Yoruba city-states. It gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960 and is now Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, known for its diverse cultures, vibrant arts, and significant oil reserves.
Egypt
Egypt is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with its history spanning over 5,000 years and marked by the reign of pharaohs who constructed iconic monuments like the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. This ancient culture flourished along the Nile River, later experiencing periods under Greek, Roman, and Islamic rule, which have all contributed to its rich archaeological and cultural heritage. Modern Egypt remains a pivotal cultural and political center in the Arab world, with its ancient sites continuing to be major global tourist destinations.
Africa
Africa is the world’s second-largest continent, known as the cradle of humankind due to archaeological evidence showing the origins of human evolution. It is home to immense cultural and historical diversity, encompassing ancient civilizations like Egypt and Mali, as well as countless kingdoms and societies shaped by millennia of history.
Cairo
Cairo is the sprawling capital of Egypt, founded in 969 CE by the Fatimid dynasty. It is renowned for its rich history, serving as a center of the Islamic world and home to iconic landmarks like the Pyramids of Giza on its outskirts and the historic Islamic Cairo district with its ancient mosques and bazaars.
beIN Max 1
beIN Max 1 is a premium television sports channel, part of the beIN Sports network, which is owned by the Qatar-based beIN Media Group. It was launched as part of the network’s global expansion, focusing primarily on broadcasting major sporting events, including football leagues and tournaments, to audiences in the Middle East and North Africa.
beIN Max 2
beIN Max 2 is a premium television sports channel, part of the beIN Media Group’s international network. It was launched as part of the company’s expansion to broadcast major sporting events, including football leagues and tournaments, to audiences in the Middle East and North Africa. The channel’s history is tied to the growth of beIN Sports following its acquisition of key broadcasting rights in the early 2010s.
Eutelsat
Eutelsat is a European satellite operator founded in 1977, originally established as an intergovernmental organization to provide satellite communications across Europe. It was privatized in 2001 and has since grown into a major global provider of fixed and broadcast satellite services.
Hot Bird
Hot Bird is a series of communications satellites operated by Eutelsat, positioned over the equator at 13 degrees East. Since the launch of the first satellite in 1995, the Hot Bird constellation has become a primary broadcasting platform for television, radio, and digital services across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Arabsat
Arabsat is a regional satellite communications organization founded in 1976 by the Arab League, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Its primary purpose is to provide satellite-based telecommunications and broadcasting services across the Arab world, fostering regional connectivity and cultural exchange. The organization operates a fleet of satellites, with its first, Arabsat-1A, launched in 1985.
Canal 2 International HD
Canal 2 International HD is a private television channel in Honduras, launched in 2012 as a high-definition extension of the long-established Canal 2. It is part of a media group that has been a significant broadcaster in the country since the mid-20th century, providing a mix of news, entertainment, and cultural programming.
ORTM
ORTM refers to the Office de Radiodiffusion et Télévision du Mali, which was the national public broadcaster of Mali. It was established in 1960 following the country’s independence, originally as Radio Mali, before expanding to include television services. The broadcaster played a key role in disseminating information and cultural programming in Mali for decades before undergoing restructuring.
RTB
RTB, also known as Radio-Television Brunei, is the national public broadcaster of Brunei Darussalam. It was founded in 1957 as Radio Brunei and expanded to include television services in 1975, playing a central role in the nation’s media and cultural landscape.
BTV
BTV, or Bulgarian National Television, is the public broadcaster of Bulgaria, founded in 1959 during the country’s communist era. It was the first television station in Bulgaria and has played a central role in the nation’s media landscape, transitioning from a state-controlled entity to a public service broadcaster after the fall of communism in 1989.
Arryadia TNT HD
Arryadia TNT HD is a Tunisian national television sports channel, launched in 2011 as part of the public Établissement de la Télévision Tunisienne network. It was created to provide dedicated coverage of domestic and international sporting events, reflecting Tunisia’s strong national interest in sports.
