Senegal to Miss Captain Koulibaly and Diarra in Africa Cup Final Against Morocco

15 January 2026at15:32

Two key players from the Senegal national team are confirmed to miss the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final against Morocco. The match is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with both players sidelined due to suspension.

Kalidou Koulibaly, captain of the "Teranga Lions" and a defensive linchpin, will be absent from the final clash. He received a yellow card during the semi-final match against Egypt, his second of the tournament after an earlier booking in the quarter-finals, resulting in a one-match suspension.

The Senegalese coaching staff will also be without the services of Habib Diarra, the English club Sunderland's midfielder. Diarra faces suspension for the same reasons, having accumulated two yellow cards – one in the quarter-finals and another in the semi-finals.

The absence of Koulibaly and Diarra is a significant blow to the Senegalese national team, given the crucial role both players have played throughout their tournament campaign, both defensively and in midfield, ahead of the highly anticipated final against the "Atlas Lions."

Q&A

Why are Kalidou Koulibaly and Habib Diarra missing the Africa Cup of Nations final?

Both Senegal players are suspended for the final against Morocco after accumulating two yellow cards each during the tournament, receiving their second bookings in the semi-finals.

What is the impact of Koulibaly and Diarra's absence on the Senegal national team for the AFCON final?

Their absence is a significant blow to Senegal, as both players have been crucial defensively and in midfield throughout their tournament campaign leading up to the final.

Senegal

Morocco

CAF Africa Cup of Nations

Kalidou Koulibaly

Habib Diarra