The Africa Cup of Nations is ready as Senegal will face Morocco on Sunday to find out the champion of the continent. Senegal had been capable of get previous Egypt within the semifinals, whereas it took a penalty shootout for Morocco to ebook their place within the closing in entrance of their dwelling followers. Morocco bought previous Nigeria, who had been the highest scoring crew at AFCON, and it’ll arrange fairly a closing on Sunday because the Atlas Lions look to win the match for the primary time since 1976. They have been a particularly profitable aspect at World Cups, however Morocco have not even been runners-up at AFCON since 2004, however that might all change Sunday.
Easy methods to watch Senegal vs. Morocco
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 18 | Time: 2 p.m. ET
- Location: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium — Rabat, Morocco
- TV: beIN Sports activities | Stay stream: Fubo (Strive without cost)
How Senegal bought right here
After successful Group D by going undefeated in the course of the group stage, Senegal had the joint greatest defensive report, permitting just one objective in group stage play. Pushing to the knockout stage, they had been capable of fend off Sudan earlier than Mali’s purple card made advancing previous the quarterfinals a breeze. Assembly Egypt, Senegal’s protection had been once more sturdy, conserving Mohamed Salah in examine en route to a different shutout victory. Solely permitting two objectives at AFCON to date, keeper Edouard Mendy and the Senegal protection will likely be powerful to interrupt down because the nation look to safe their first AFCON title since 2021.
How Morocco bought right here
Like Senegal, Morocco gained Group A with an undefeated report, scoring six objectives whereas solely permitting one. Actual Madrid man Brahim Diaz’s objectives had been a big a part of their success, however so was the return of Paris Saint-Germain proper again Achraf Hakimi from damage, which has given them their chief again on the pitch. Known as in with out taking part in a minute of soccer for PSG this season, it was a danger bringing Hakimi, however he has hit the pitch as if he hasn’t missed a step, which has been vital within the knockout stage for the Atlas Lions. They squeaked previous Tanzania within the spherical of 16 earlier than placing two objectives previous Cameroon. Developing in opposition to Nigeria within the semifinals was fairly a tall process for Morocco, however keeper Yassine Bounou was greater than able to play below stress and safe their place within the closing.
Gamers to observe
Senegal: All eyes will likely be on Sadio Mane, regardless of him being extra of a inventive presence throughout this match. When his crew wanted him most, Mane got here up with a objective to defeat Egypt, however in the course of the match as an entire, he has two objectives and three assists. With Nicolas Jackson and Iliman Ndiaye with the ability to assist tempo the assault, much less stress has been on Mane to attain on this match however he has been a vital a part of the development of Senegal’s balanced assault. Going through Morocco within the closing, whereas it is going to be a defense-first affair, it is a second the place stars like Mane will likely be seemed upon.
Morocco: Brahim Diaz won’t solely be seeking to win AFCON, however he additionally enters because the chief within the Golden Boot race. With 5 objectives to date on this match, it is clear the place the Atlas Lions will search for their objectives. He is gotten it accomplished in loads of alternative ways and will likely be seeking to bounce again after Nigeria had been capable of maintain him from making an affect in assault. Ahead Ayoub El Kaabi of Olympiacos has been capable of supply a secondary focus within the assault, however Diaz remains to be the primary person who Morocco look to after they want a objective, and he’ll should be at his greatest to interrupt down a stout Senegal protection.
