"We succeeded in organizing the AFCON and now we're going to win it!", "The Cup is coming back to Dakar, it's 99% certain": in Paris, in restaurants, bars, shops, supporters are preparing for the final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat on Sunday evening.

In the Goutte-d'Or district (18th arrondissement), the Senegalese are already buzzing with excitement: on Rue des Poissonniers, in a grocery store, a Senegal jersey hangs on a hanger above the cash register. The owner, Michel Nkdjo, is convinced: "The Cup is coming home to Dakar, 99% sure! We're going to win 2-0."

The match is also an opportunity to come together. "It's family, it's Africa. We're all behind the country," the manager told AFP. He plans to "cook with the family" on Sunday and go to Rue Myrha, "a landmark for us Senegalese."

On this main thoroughfare in the Goutte-d'Or district of northeastern Paris, the Ô18 restaurant is preparing to welcome around a hundred people on Sunday evening. Céleste, a waitress, is "from Mali, so a little disappointed to have been eliminated (in the quarterfinals by Senegal, editor's note)" but she will be "supporting Senegal." "No choice, it's a Senegalese restaurant here!" she emphasizes.

Further down the street, in the Mama Kossa African restaurant, the back room is being prepared for the big match: chairs, tables and spotlights are set up everywhere. "We're expecting 50 people for the final. On Wednesday after the semi-final (won by the Lions of Teranga against Egypt, editor's note), the street was packed with Senegalese people, it's going to be the same on Sunday," assures Marvin, the manager.

In the kitchen, the two cooks, Momo and Ousmane, boast, shouting "Senegal Rekk!" (Senegal only!). "God willing, we're going to win! It'll be a source of pride for the Senegalese people! Sadio Mané is a national hero!" Momo exclaims. Ousmane, however, is more cautious: "After all, it's true that Morocco is very strong, and besides, Moroccans are our brothers... May the best team win."

"Thirty people at our house!"

Further along, towards the Barbès-Rochechouart metro station, at the La Royale bar-tabac, people will gather on Sunday, as they have for every match since the start of the Africa Cup of Nations. Here, Moroccans, Algerians, and Tunisians mingle in a friendly atmosphere. Hamid, a 53-year-old Tunisian, jokes, laughing: "If Senegal wins, the King of Morocco will fall!" But there's no excessive bickering; the communities of the three Maghreb countries will be together in the bar to cheer on the match.

Meriem and Sofia, two young business school students in Paris, stroll through the streets of the 15th arrondissement sporting the Atlas Lions jersey. Of Franco-Moroccan heritage, they express their enthusiasm and pride. "We successfully organized the Africa Cup of Nations, and now we're going to win it!" Sofia declares.

The student's younger brother, Bilal, 9, is also 100% behind Achraf Hakimi's team. "My favorite is El Khannouss (midfielder, editor's note), because he has the same first name as me!" They will all watch the match with family and friends: "My father has invited thirty people to our house! It'll never fit!" laughs Meriem.

"We are approaching the match with a lot of joy and confidence. This is the result of the work done over the last fifteen years, on the team, the infrastructure and the training of young people," proclaims Yassine, 30, whom we met in the same area.

"We would have loved to go to Morocco to experience this fervor, but the price of tickets...", he concluded.