They have complained bitterly about their treatment in the build-up to the game, but if there is one team in the tournament who can upset the odds and defeat the hosts, it is this Senegalese side.

Packed with pace and talented ball-players, they have arguably looked the best team to this point, but must find a way to breakdown the organised and efficient Moroccans.

Here are some key statistics ahead of Sunday’s epic clash.

[h2]Fourth final[/h2]

Senegal have been to three previous Cup of nations finals, losing the first two until they finally broke their duck in 2021. Their first in 2002 ended in a 0-0 draw against Cameroon, who won 3-2 on penalties. They were back in the decider in 2019, but this time lost 1-0 to Algeria. They did not have to wait too long for their first win though as they edged Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the decider following a 0-0 draw. It means there has been just one goal scored in their three deciders, after two minutes by Algeria’s Baghdad Bounedjah. Senegal have netted none. As an aside, Ivory Coast’s first four Cup of Nations finals all finished 0-0, before they beat Nigeria 2-1 in the 2023 edition.

[h2]Tight defence[/h2]

Senegal have kept four clean sheets at the current edition and would equal their best run of five in a single tournament if they do so in this match, having achieved five in 2002, 2019 and 2021. DR Congo’s Cédric Bakambu scored against them in a 1-1 group stage draw, the only match they have not won in Morocco. Sudan’s Aamir Yunis Abdallah also netted against the Senegalese in the Round of 16. They have kept 15 clean sheets in their last 22 Cup of Nations matches and have not conceded more than one goal in a match since a 2-2 draw against Algeria in their final group game in 2017.

[h2]Most wins[/h2]

Victory would see Senegal become the first team to win four successive knockout games at the Cup of Nations. They have won five games overall at the current edition, their joint-highest total alongside 2019. A victory would see them win six games at a single Cup of Nations edition for the first time. They are undefeated in their last 17 Cup of Nations matches since losing the 2019 final (W12 D5). In fact, that loss to Algeria is their only defeat in their last 22 matches (W16 D5).

[h2]Goals galore[/h2]

Senegal have scored in all six of their 2025 matches, the first time they have done so at a Cup of Nations. The 12 goals they have scored at the current tournament is the most they have netted at a single edition. They have now scored in their last 10 Cup of Nations matches, last failing to score in the 2021 final against Egypt.

[h2]No Koulibaly[/h2]

Senegal captain and defensive rock Kalidou Koulibaly misses the match through suspension, his second ban of the current tournament after a red card in the group stages. It means he misses an Cup of Nations final through suspension for the second time, having also missed the 2019 decider. Senegal will also be without influential midfielder Habib Diarra through suspension.

[h2]Super Sadio[/h2]

Sadio Mane scored Senegal’s only goal against Egypt in the semi-finals, his 11th career goal at the Cup of Nations. Four of those strikes have come in knockout matches. His total Cup of Nations goal involvements are now 20, with 11 goals and nine assists. He is the ninth player in Cup of Nations history to score 10 or more goals, after Samuel Eto’o (18), Laurent Pokou (14), Rashidi Yekini (13), Hassan El-Shazly (12), Patrick M’Boma, Mohamed Salah, Hossam Hassan and Didier Drogba (all 11). Mane has also created 18 chances for teammates, the most of any player in the tournament.