As the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draws to a close on Sunday at the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, history awaits either Senegal or host nation Morocco.

For Senegal, victory would mean repeating their AFCON 2021 triumph and lifting the continental trophy for a second time. For Morocco, it would crown years of steady progress with a first AFCON title since 1976, further underlining their rise following an unforgettable run to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, where they became the first African nation to reach that stage.

Beyond the silverware, Sunday’s final carries deeper significance: the long-standing rivalry between West Africa and North Africa for continental football supremacy will be put to the ultimate test.

Fittingly, both finalists share the nickname “Lions”—Senegal’s Teranga Lions and Morocco’s Atlas Lions—setting the stage for a fierce battle of pride, power, and pedigree. And as football purists often say, when two lions fight, it takes a fair and firm hand to judge the contest.

Historically, Senegal were not considered a traditional West African powerhouse, unlike Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon (often linked to West Africa). Yet the Teranga Lions’ steady rise has reshaped that narrative.

Since AFCON began in 1957, West African nations—Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Cameroon—have won the competition 16 times out of 34 editions, accounting for 47.06% of the titles.

Excluding Cameroon, “substantive” West Africa has claimed 11 titles (32.35%), a figure matched exactly by North Africa—represented by Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria.

That statistical parity highlights why Sunday’s final is more than just a match—it is a battle for regional bragging rights, expected to unfold before nearly 70,000 fans in Rabat.

Senegal arrive with confidence built on consistency. From the golden generation of El-Hadji Diouf, Henri Camara, Tony Sylva, Khalilou Fadiga, and the late Papa Bouba Diop—who shocked the world by defeating France at the 2002 World Cup—to their recent AFCON triumph, the Teranga Lions have grown into a continental force.

After losing the 2019 AFCON final to Algeria, Senegal bounced back to win the next edition in Cameroon and now stand on the brink of another historic achievement on Moroccan soil.

Morocco, however, have their own powerful motivation. Buoyed by massive investment in football infrastructure under King Mohammed VI and inspired by their World Cup heroics, the Atlas Lions are determined to keep the trophy at home. Their dramatic penalty shootout victory over Nigeria in the semi-finals only strengthened belief that destiny may be on their side.

While suspicions of host-nation advantage in officiating persist in some quarters, Morocco’s performances—led by world-class talents such as Achraf Hakimi—have largely spoken for themselves.

Backed by passionate home support and national pride, the Atlas Lions are aiming to end a nearly 50-year wait for continental glory.

Fireworks are guaranteed on Sunday. History beckons—either Senegal will reinforce West Africa’s dominance, or Morocco will restore Maghreb pride by lifting the AFCON trophy on home soil.