Africa Cup of Nations 2025: Senegal stands in the way of Morocco’s 50-year wait for glory

Meanwhile, Senegal qualified for the semi-finals, beating record seven-time champions Egypt, thanks to a second-half goal scored by superstar Sadio Mane.

The 33-year-old scored the decisive penalty kick in the 2021 final, also against the Pharaohs, and once again proved he is the man for the big occasion.

The former Liverpool striker is keen to collect another winner’s medal, after apparently declaring that this would be his last appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mane said: “The final means winning.

“I will be very happy to play in my last Africa Cup of Nations final, enjoy it and win for my country.”

However, Senegal have a host of attacking talent alongside Mane, with Elimane Ndiaye, Nicholas Jackson, Habib Diallo, Ismaila Sarr and 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye all a goal threat.

The Teranga Lions will be without captain Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra through suspension, but goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye are among the survivors of their latest victory.

The team will qualify for the final for the fourth time, having lost the final in 2002 and 2019 before finally winning the title four years ago.

Thiaw, like Regragui, tasted defeat in the Africa Cup of Nations as a player as part of the team that lost on penalties to Cameroon 24 years ago.

However, he will have the opportunity to create a piece of history of his own, potentially becoming the first man to coach a team to CHAN and Afcon glory.