Rabat: The Africa Cup of Nations final, which will pit Senegal against Morocco on Sunday in Rabat, is being hailed as a “celebration of brotherhood” between the two nations, as emphasized by the Ministry of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad on Saturday.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the ministry stated in a press release that the sporting encounter will primarily serve as an occasion to celebrate the fraternity between two peoples bound by deep historical, economic, human, and spiritual ties. The press release highlighted the excellence of the age-old relations of friendship and solidarity between Senegal and Morocco.

In this spirit of trust and partnership, the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the Kingdom of Morocco has demonstrated exemplary cooperation since the start of the Africa Cup of Nations, staying true to the centuries-old friendship. The statement further expressed satisfaction with the consistency of this fraternal attitude and extended gratitude to the Moroccan government, assuring that relations between the two countries, based on mutual respect and a shared vision of African and international issues, have steadily strengthened over the decades.

The ministry noted that Senegal views sport, and football in particular, as a powerful medium for bringing peoples closer together and fostering cohesion. It emphasized that the final should be experienced as a celebration of African talent, continental unity, and the strong fraternity between the Senegalese and Moroccan peoples, beyond any circumstantial considerations.

In this regard, the ministry called on all stakeholders, supporters, and public opinion to uphold a spirit of responsibility, respect, and fair play, in line with the strength of Senegalese-Moroccan relations and to preserve the image of African football on the international stage.