The 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco has been largely predictable, with the best teams consistently winning. According to Jonathan Wilson, only a thrilling final match between host nation Morocco and Senegal can rescue the tournament from being forgettable.

The tournament's predictability stems from the excellent playing conditions, which have favored the stronger teams. This has resulted in a lack of major upsets and memorable moments, despite the presence of good quality football. As Wilson notes, the tournament has been an "organiser's dream," efficiently producing quarter-finals featuring the highest-ranked teams.

Morocco, hosting the tournament and co-hosting the 2030 World Cup, has invested heavily in infrastructure, positioning itself as a central hub for African football. However, this comes with immense pressure to perform, which has been evident in some of their labored performances, especially during the group stage. They defeated Nigeria on penalties to reach the final.

Senegal, on the other hand, has been a dominant force in recent AFCON tournaments, reaching three of the past four finals. In the semi-final, Sadio Mané led Senegal to victory against Egypt.

Notably, this year's final is unique as both teams are managed by native coaches. Senegal's coach, Pape Thiaw, though having played in Europe, developed his coaching career with Niarry Tally in Senegal.

The final presents a clash between North Africa's best team (Morocco) and Sub-Saharan Africa's best team (Senegal). Morocco is seeking its second AFCON title, 50 years after their first. Senegal is also aiming for their second triumph.

Heading into the final, the Senegalese Football Federation has raised concerns about security, accommodation, training facilities, and ticketing. Despite these issues, confidence is high among the Moroccan diaspora, who anticipate a victory for the Atlas Lions.

The semi-finals were tense affairs, with only one goal scored across both matches, fitting the often sterile stereotype of the Cup of Nations. While two of the quarter-final matches showcased genuine quality, the tournament as a whole needs a memorable final to elevate it.

The focus now shifts to whether the final can deliver the excitement and drama that has been lacking thus far. A thrilling encounter between Morocco and Senegal could provide the spark needed to make this AFCON a truly unforgettable event.