The final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be between the Atlas Lions of Morocco versus the Teranga Lions of Senegal on Sunday, January 18.

Tickets prices surged leading to what was dubbed: “The final before the final,” Nigeria against the host country, Morocco.

Pressure mounted on Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui and his men after Senegal edged Egypt for a place in the final.

In front of the packed world class Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat, including the Royal family of Morocco, the Super Eagles of Nigeria held their resolve to force a penalty shootout.

Both teams, feeling the weight of pressure going into the shootout after an expected goalless draw considering their respective defensive prowesses had millions of viewers across the globe in a tense mood.

Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bono, proved to be the hero once again just as he was in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar despite Hamza Igamane missing his strike during the shootout.

Bono incredibly kept out Samuel Chukwueze and Onyemaechi’s attempts before Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning penalty to send Morocco into the final.