Finales CAN : L'avantage historique des pays hôtes
This Sunday, Senegal faces Morocco, the host country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, in a highly anticipated final. A prestigious match pits two giants of African football against each other, both of whom have had remarkable runs throughout the competition. While the Lions of Teranga dream of another continental title, the Atlas Lions have a slight advantage: playing at home in front of their fans.
History seems to favor the host countries in the Africa Cup of Nations. In 34 editions, twelve host nations have lifted the trophy in front of their home fans, compared to only three final losses on home soil. This statistic bolsters Moroccan hopes as they approach this decisive match.
The early decades: the law of domicile
It all began in 1959, during the second edition, when Egypt defeated Sudan (2-1) on their home turf. Three years later, Ethiopia caused a major upset by dethroning Egypt on their own soil (4-2). In 1963, host nation Ghana dominated Sudan (3-0) in the final, before Tunisia fell to the host country in 1965 (Ghana won 3-2).
In 1970, Sudan ended Ghana's dominance by winning its first Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil (1-0). Ghana, with a talented generation of players, picked up the torch in 1978 by defeating Uganda (2-0), thanks to a brace from Opoku Afriyie. Two years later, Nigeria, led by Segun Odegbami, triumphed at home against Rabah Madjer's Algeria (3-0).
From penalty shootouts to the Fennecs' coronation
Libya did not fare as well in 1982, losing in the final to Abedi Pelé's Ghana on penalties (1-1, 7-6 on penalties). In 1986, Mahmoud Al-Khatib's Egypt returned to winning ways on home soil, defeating Roger Milla's Cameroon after a penalty shootout (0-0, 5-4 on penalties). In 1990, Algeria won its first Africa Cup of Nations. The Fennecs, led by Rabah Madjer, triumphed at home against Rashidi Yekini's Nigeria (1-0) thanks to a goal from Chérif Oudjani.
From the Mandela era to the Ivorian miracle
South Africa made its grand return to the continental stage in 1996, winning the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil against Tunisia (2-0), under the watchful eye of Nelson Mandela. In 2000, for the first co-hosted Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria, featuring Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, lost the final at home to Samuel Eto'o's Cameroon (2-2, 4-3 on penalties).
In 2004, Tunisia, with its Brazilian players Santos and Clayton, finally won the trophy at home by beating Morocco (2-1), erasing the defeat of 1965. In 2006, Egypt once again won at home against Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast (0-0, 4-2 on penalties).
After 2006, it took 17 years for a host country to reach the final again. In 2023, Ivory Coast had a heroic run and won the AFCON on home soil against Nigeria (2-1), confirming this historical trend.
It is with this heavy legacy that Morocco approaches this final against Senegal. But the Lions of Teranga, 2021 African champions, have proven they can defy expectations. On Sunday, beyond the statistics, the fate of the continental trophy will be decided on the pitch.
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