Senegal's dramatic victory in the chaotic final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has dominated headlines, but the tournament offered much more than a single match. From Morocco's ambitious hosting strategy to the strong presence of the global diaspora, the competition provided several key takeaways for football fans and observers alike.
Morocco used the tournament to showcase its capability to host high-profile sporting events, aiming to impress Fifa ahead of a potential 2030 World Cup bid. The country invested heavily in infrastructure and spectacle, with live music and dancers greeting passengers at Mohammed V airport and extensive branding across Rabat. However, critics highlighted a contrast between the rapid stadium construction and the slow state response to the September 2023 earthquake in Al Haouz province, where many remain displaced. Yacine, a French NGO worker in Rabat, noted: 'If you go [to Al Haouz], you will still see the people [who] have no house until now.'
Despite the overall success, controversy marred the final. Ballboys were seen hiding towels from Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and his deputy, an act of gamesmanship that left a sour taste. Senegal's claims of inadequate treatment by the hosts further questioned Morocco's readiness for the global stage. The incident, alongside the Senegalese walk-off, has prompted the Moroccan FA to pursue legal action, but the images of ballboys targeting a Black goalkeeper at a time when the balance of power favoured the north African hosts drew particular criticism.
The tournament also highlighted the reach of the African diaspora. Fans from around the world travelled to Morocco, including British and American-born Nigerians, Parisian Senegalese, and Portuguese Mozambicans. Nassim Bellaoud and Soriba Cissoko, second-generation Moroccans and Senegalese from Paris, described the event as a diaspora gathering: 'Afcon is always a big tournament in the diasporas... to be here is amazing.' Others, like Soriba, were drawn by cheap tickets and the chance to experience the continent's energy.
Beyond the stadiums, Afcon's influence extended globally, with watch parties in cafes and function halls from Kingston to Lagos. Tomisin Ogunfunmi, a Nigerian from Dallas, and his friends from Somalia and Ethiopia, watched the final in Rabat's rain, underscoring the tournament's unifying power across borders and generations.
