The Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium plays host to the final of the African Nations Championship when beaten 2016 finalists Mali take on reigning champions Morocco on Sunday.
Mali survived a scare in the semi-finals when they edged out Guinea on penalties, while Morocco comfortably made it through with a 4-0 thumping of host nation Cameroon.
Match preview
History is set to be made in Cameroon when two African heavyweights clash in Yaounde as the sixth edition of the African Nations Championship reaches its climax.
Sixteen of the best nations across Africa battled for glory at the biannual continental tournament organised for players in their respective domestic leagues, but it will be Morocco or Mali who will wear the crown.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco have done it all on this stage, when they defeated Nigeria to lift the CHAN trophy on home soil in 2018.
Mali, on the other hand, fell short of glory in 2016, when they got to the final but lost to Central African nation Congo DR.
The road to the CHAN 2020 final has been smooth for both nations, particularly Morocco, who have performed excellently and scored 13 goals in five matches.
After a slow start to the tournament, a 5-2 thrashing of Uganda was the Atlas Lions' highlight of the group stages, where they finished first in Group C with two wins and a draw.
Vahid Halilhodzic's men continued their superb performance in the knockout stages, edging out the Chipolopolo of Zambia in the quarter-finals, before a 4-0 humbling of host nation Cameroon in the semis.
Meanwhile, Mali's run to the final has not been as entertaining and goal-laden as Morocco's, but they simply did the needful and got the desired results.
Two 1-0 victories against Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe, and a goalless draw with Cameroon ensured Nouhoum Diane's side finished first in Group A.
In the quarter-finals, the Eagles were held to a goalless 120 minutes by Congo, but they came out victorious in the penalty shootout, after Congolese defender Mapata Mouandza fired his spot kick wide of the goal.
Mali were dragged to yet another penalty shootout in the semi-finals, this time by Guinea, but Djigui Diarra proved to be the hero for the Eagles.
The Stade Malien goalkeeper made a brilliant stop to deny Guinea's Morlaye Sylla, before Mamadou Coulibaly fired home the game-winning penalty to book a final showdown with Morocco.
The last time Mali and Morocco squared off was in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, when both nations were drawn in Group C. Halilhodzic's men came out the better side, securing one draw and an emphatic 6-0 win.
Both Mali and Morocco are currently on a scintillating run, as they have not tasted defeat in 10 and 13 games, respectively.
They are both on a three-game winning run, and while Morocco's frontmen are high-flying at the moment, the Malians have proven to be rock-solid in defence.
The Atlas Lions are aiming to become the first side to lift the trophy in successive campaigns, while Mali will try to become the first West African CHAN winner.
Mali African Nations Championship form: WDWDD
Mali form (all competitions): WWDWDD
Morocco African Nations Championship form: WDWWW
Morocco form (all competitions): WWDWWW
Team News
Halilhodzic has the luxury of a fully-fit and healthy squad to pick from, and we expect him to field his best XI for this crucial showdown.
Raja Club Athletic forward Soufiane Rahimi has been the star of the tournament, sitting at the top of the scoring chart with five goals, and we expect the 24-year-old to spearhead Morocco's attack once more.
On the other hand, there are a few injury scares in the Guinea squad, with Mamadou Doumbia and Ibrahim Sidibe major doubts for this encounter.
The Stade Malien defender was hooked off barely minutes into the semi-final clash with Guinea, while Sidibe was replaced by Makan Samabaly in the 31st minute through injury.
That duo has been ever-present for the Eagles, featuring in every game at the tournament so far, but their absence could see Bangaly Sanogo and Desse Sissoko grab their first starting appearance.
Mali possible starting lineup:
Diarra; Samake, Doumbia, Sanogo, Bagayoko; Diallo, Kyabou, Kanoute, Sissoko; Ballo, Kone
Morocco possible starting lineup:
Zniti; El Moussaoui, Boutouil, Bouftini, Baadi; Jabrane, Larbi, El Karti; Rahimi, El Kaabi, Hadraf
We say: Mali 0-1 Morocco
We expect a one-sided contest with title holders Morocco dominating proceedings. Mali have one of the best defensive records in the tournament, but regardless of their tenacity, we predict Morocco will grab the all-important goal and clinch the title.
