Morocco host Senegal in Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat

Morocco host Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, with kick-off at 7pm GMT (8pm in Rabat). Morocco are unchanged from their semi-final win over Nigeria. Their route to the final was: Group A Comoros 2-0, Mali 1-1, Zambia 3-0; Last 16 Tanzania 1-0; Quarter-final Cameroon 2-0; Semi-final Nigeria 0-0 (4-2 pens).

The only goal Morocco have conceded was a penalty by Mali’s Lassine Sinayoko. Senegal made three changes from the side that beat Egypt: Lamine Camara, Antoine Mendy and Mamadou Sarr come in for Krepin Diatta and the suspended Kalidou Koulibaly and Habib Diarra. Senegal’s route was: Group D Botswana 3-0, DR Congo 1-1, Benin 3-0; Last 16 Sudan 3-1; Quarter-final Mali 1-0; Semi-final Egypt 1-0, and their 12 goals have been spread among eight different goalscorers.

Starting line-ups named in the build-up list Senegal (4-3-3) as: E Mendy; A Mendy, M Sarr, Niakhate, Diouf; L Camara, I Gueye, P Gueye; I Ndiaye, Jackson, Mane. Morocco (4-1-4-1) are listed as: Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui; Diaz, El Khannouss, Saibari, Ezzalzouli; El Kaabi.

Referee is Jean Jacques Ngambo Ndala (DR Congo). Analyst Jonathan Wilson wrote that the tournament has been largely devoid of shocks and that the final pits the hosts and World Cup semi-finalists Morocco against Senegal, who have reached three of the past four Afcon finals.

Key Topics

Sports, Morocco, Senegal, Rabat, Africa Cup, Kalidou Koulibaly