Africa's Rising Star and a Final That Sparked a Europe Debate

Key moments and the post-match firestorm

Yasser Zabiri, Morocco's rising star, intensified the pressure surrounding African football after the Atlas Lions fell in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

Dubbed a young Moroccan talent, Zabiri shone at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, guiding his country to the title and scoring decisive goals, drawing the attention of European clubs.

Final result and who earned it

The Senegalese side lifted the continental crown with a 1-0 victory over the host nation, Morocco, thanks to a goal credited to a Senegalese player.

Zabiri, a product of the Mohammed VI Academy and now with the Portuguese club Famalicão, rode a wave of currents in Morocco suggesting the Atlas Lions belong on a Europe-based stage rather than in Africa.

Zabiri posted on Instagram: "Africa does not deserve Morocco."

Morocco had late opportunities to seal a second title, with a late penalty miss by Ibrahim Diaz setting the stage for extra time, where Senegal ultimately found the winner.

Morocco’s path to glory looked bright in the run-up to the final, but the late penalty drama altered the script and intensified the debate about where African talents should ply their trade.

Two light-hearted notes to close: If Africa doesn’t deserve Morocco, Europe better brace for longer flight times and heavier transfer rumors. And remember, in football as in life, sometimes the highlight reel only shows the shot you didn’t take—so take the next one with a wink.