TP Report
RABAT: Prince Moulay Rachid chaired the final match of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The closely contested final was claimed by Senegal, which defeated Morocco 1–0 after extra time.
The closing ceremony featured vibrant artistic performances celebrating Africa’s rich cultural heritage and the dynamism of its youth, symbolizing unity, cooperation, and competitive spirit. The tournament successfully brought together the African continent while capturing global attention.
At the conclusion of the match, Prince Moulay Rachid joined the podium to award trophies and medals to the Moroccan finalist team as well as to the Senegalese side, winners of this AFCON edition.
The Africa Cup of Nations proved to be a historic milestone for Morocco, transcending the realm of sport. The tournament represented a significant political, strategic, and symbolic moment for the Kingdom and for King Mohammed VI. Through its scale, popular success, and high organizational standards, the event showcased modern Morocco as a nation investing in infrastructure, global image-building, and international hospitality, while already preparing to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
On this occasion, King Mohammed VI sent a congratulatory message to the members of the national football team, praising their journey to the final of AFCON Morocco 2025. His Majesty commended the players, technical staff, and officials for demonstrating perseverance, discipline, and collective spirit, describing their performance as a powerful example of the potential of Moroccan and African youth.
The King emphasized that the team’s composure and heroic performance reflected the success of Morocco’s strategic vision of investing in human capital and modernizing national infrastructure, reaffirming the Kingdom’s readiness to host major global sporting events. He also praised the passionate Moroccan supporters and encouraged the team to continue striving for excellence on international stages.
Morocco has, over the past decade, pursued a comprehensive football development strategy aimed at positioning the country among Africa’s leading football nations and competitive globally. Central to this vision is the Mohammed VI Football Academy, established in 2008 and inaugurated in 2009. Modeled on elite international training centers, the academy focuses on identifying and developing young Moroccan talent while providing both athletic and academic support, contributing to the long-term advancement of Moroccan football.
