Senegal, an AFCON Final Specialist Who Threatens Morocco

The Teranga Lions had reached just one Africa Cup of Nations final in their first 14 tournament appearances, but that reality has changed dramatically

The Teranga Lions had reached just one Africa Cup of Nations final in their first 14 tournament appearances, but that reality has changed dramatically. After knocking out Egypt and Mohamed Salah in the semifinals, Sadio Mané’s Senegal have confirmed they must be considered among the tournament favorites, as they prepare to play their third AFCON final in the last four editions.

How many AFCON finals has Senegal played?

Senegal’s rise has been clear since the 2002 Korea–Japan World Cup, where they reached the quarterfinals and announced themselves on the global stage. That same year, the Teranga Lions reached the AFCON final, only to lose the title to Cameroon on penalties.

Senegal returned to the continental final in 2019, suffering another narrow defeat, this time against Algeria, in a tightly contested match.

Senegal and their third final in the last four AFCON editions

The 2019 final marked the beginning of a new era in which Senegal became a regular title contender.

In 2021, hosted in Cameroon, the Teranga Lions finally got their revenge, winning the first AFCON title in their history by defeating Egypt and Salah on penalties.

The only setback in this upward trajectory came in the edition prior to Morocco 2025, when Senegal were eliminated in the knockout rounds by the eventual champions, Ivory Coast.