Senegal vs Morocco Prediction & Betting Tips (18 January)

Senegal is probably the most consistent African nation in recent editions of the African Cup of Nations, participating this evening in its 3rd final in the last 4 editions. Unlucky finalist in 2019, Senegal achieved its dream in 2021 by winning the coronation. During the previous edition, in Ivory Coast, the Senegalese were not in their competition and experienced real disillusionment by exiting in the round of 16. In this final phase, the Lions of Teranga timidly won against Egypt in the semi-final 1-0 and Mali in the 1/4 final 0-1. Facing Sudan in the 1/8th final, surprised at the start of the match, Senegal finally made the coffee by winning by two goals 3-1. In the group stage, without difficulty against Botswana winning 3-0 and Benin 3-0, Senegal was more in the red during the opposition with the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-1. As a reminder, Senegal will participate in the World Cup, and will play against France in the first match.

 Since the start of the competition, Morocco has played in Rabat at home but seems to be in clear difficulty since the round of 16. Already, against Tanzania, although the Atlas Lions dominated their subject, they did not go far from the penalty at the end of the match with a possible penalty not called 1-0. In the 1/4 final, without necessarily dominating Cameroon, Walid Regragui's men won while still under threat of a goal or a defensive error 0-2. And finally, in the semi-final, facing the very tough selection of Nigeria, the Moroccans had to deploy until the penalty shootout to take out the Super Eagles, without even scoring a single goal during the 120 minutes of effective playing time 0-0, 2-4 TAB. The important point to underline is that the semi-finalist of the 2022 World Cup did not concede a single goal in this 2nd part of the competition, only 1 in total in the competition. 

It's terrible for Senegal who will not be able to field the starters Koulibaly (ex-Napoli) and H.Diarra (Sunderland), both suspended for this final (accumulation of yellow cards). Due to the absence of Koulibaly, Strasbourg's Mamadou Sarr could start while Monegasque Lamine Camara could slip into the midfield. We can never remember enough of the injury absences of A.Diao (Como) and I.Camara (Anderlecht). Defender Abdou Diallo (ex-PSG) and Nobel Mendy (Rayo Vallecano) were not called up by the coach. The sole scorer in the semi-final against Egypt, Sadio Mané (2 goals, 3 assists in the competition) won his duel against his former teammate at Liverpool: Mohamed Salah. Author of a double at the start of the competition against Botswana, Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich) has not scored since, or even been simply decisive. Midfielder Pape Gueye (Villarreal), author of a heroic double in the 1/8 final to overthrow Sudan, will be operational like goalkeeper E.Mendy (ex-Chelsea) without forgetting to mention the former Ligue 1 players: I.Ndiaye (Everton), Gana Gueye (ex-PSG) and I.

Sarr (Crystal Palace). Walid Regragui saw two of his starters injured during the competition. In this case A.Ounahi (midfielder, Girona) and R.Saïss (defender). The first mentioned is officially already forfeited for the final but the second hopes to be available. Starting the competition on the bench in order to afford a few more days of recovery due to his ankle injury, Hakimi (PSG) has since started and will play well in this final just like OM central defender Aguerd, Masina (Torino) and the right back but playing on the left due to the presence of Hakimi, Mazraoui (Manchester United). Betis Sevilla players Ezzalzouli and S.Amrabat will also be operational, as will Real Madrid resident Brahim Diaz, current top scorer in the competition with a total of 5 goals. Midfielder I.Saibari (PSV) was also very important while at the forefront of the attack, El Kaabi (Olympiakos) took the starting position thanks in particular to his 3 goals and 1 assist.