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Final Faceoff: Hakimi vs Mane as Morocco and Senegal Battle for AFCON Glory

18 January 2026

Final Faceoff: Hakimi vs Mane as Morocco and Senegal Battle for AFCON Glory
Hakimi vs Mane in AFCON final duel.

Final Preview

Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui revealed the Atlas Lions' lineup to face Senegal on Sunday evening at the Mohammed V Stadium, in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

He sticks with the same successful frontline trio of Ayoub El Kaabi, Ibrahim Diaz, and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.

Captain Achraf Hakimi operates on the right, with Noussair Mazraoui on the left.

Starting XIs

Morocco's starting XI was confirmed as follows:

Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou.

Defence: Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Adam Masina, Noussair Mazraoui.

Midfield: Nayel El Ainawi, Ismail Sibaari, Bilal Khannous.

Attack: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ayoub El Kaabi, Ibrahim Diaz.

Senegal's lineup is led by Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson in attack.

Senegal's starting XI, captained by Mane, is as follows:

Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy.

Defence: Diatta, Sarr, Ndiakite, Diouf.

Midfield: Camara, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye.

Attack: Ndiaï, Mane, Jackson.

Author

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Michael Whooosh

I am Michael Whooosh, an English sports journalist born in 1986. Passionate about surfing, poetry, and beekeeping, I share my human and sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is in goal for Morocco in the final?

Yassine Bounou starts in goal for Morocco.

Who leads Morocco’s attack alongside El Kaabi?

Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Ibrahim Diaz join Ayoub El Kaabi in a potent frontline.

Where is the AFCON final played?

Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.