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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Jonathan Wilson

Only a thrilling final can save a predictable Africa Cup of Nations from being forgotten

Composite image of Senegal’s Krépin Diatta and El Hadji Malick Diouf; and Morocco’s Ez Abde and Brahim Díaz
The battle between (from left) Senegal’s Krépin Diatta and El Hadji Malick Diouf against Morocco’s Ez Abde and Brahim Díaz is likely to be decisive in the final. Composite: Guardan Pictures; Sipa USA/Alamy; GSI/Icon Sport/Getty Images; Reuters

Sometimes a tournament’s greatest strength can be its greatest weakness. In part because of the excellent playing conditions, this has been an Africa Cup of Nations devoid of shocks. The better teams keep winning. There has been a lot of good football, but not a huge amount of memorable football.

And the consequence is that, in the final, we have the two best teams, or certainly the best team in north Africa against the best team in sub-Saharan Africa: the hosts and World Cup semi-finalists Morocco against Senegal, who have reached three of the past four Afcon finals.

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