Grammy award-winning Nigerian superstar, Damini Ogulu, globally celebrated as Burna Boy, is set to bring down the house as the headline act for the concluding TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Fan Zone concert. The grand finale, tagged "The AFCON Last Dance," is scheduled for Friday, January 16, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco.
Star-Studded Finale in Rabat
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) made the exciting announcement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday night, promising "One last show. One MASSIVE lineup." The event will be held at the OLM Souissi Fan Zone in Rabat, kicking off at 8 p.m. local time. Burna Boy will be joined on stage by other acclaimed artists Stormy, Stonebwoy, and Jaylann for this monumental closing celebration.
This musical spectacle caps off a tournament that has consistently blended sports with cultural expression. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations commenced on December 21, 2025, with a spectacular opening ceremony in Rabat featuring another Nigerian icon, Davido. He performed alongside French Montana and RedOne in a show titled "Le Show" at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, just before the host nation's first match.
Nigerian Excellence on Global Stages
Burna Boy's headline performance continues a proud tradition of Nigerian artists commanding major international platforms. CAF previously highlighted this trend, noting that artists like Davido help carry African music to the world with a spirit of celebration and pride that mirrors the AFCON itself.
The finale concert comes on the heels of a significant sporting disappointment for Nigeria, as the host nation, Morocco, eliminated the Super Eagles from the tournament in a tense semi-final decided by penalties. Despite this, Nigerian talent remains at the forefront of the event's cultural offerings.
Other Nigerian music stars have also made history on the world stage:
- Wizkid became the first African artist to headline at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in July 2023 and the Glastonbury Festival in June of the same year.
- Tiwa Savage was the sole Nigerian performer invited to the coronation concert of King Charles III in 2023.
- Rema broke new ground as the first Nigerian to perform at the prestigious Ballon d'Or ceremony in France in October 2023.
- CKay entertained over 40,000 fans at the closing ceremony of the 2023 African Nations Championship in Algiers.
Tournament Reaches Climax
As the music fades after the Fan Zone finale, the football action reaches its peak. Morocco will face Senegal in the AFCON 2025 final on Sunday, January 18, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, seeking their first title since 1976. Meanwhile, Nigeria's Super Eagles will contest the third-place match against Egypt on Saturday, January 17 at the Mohammed V Stadium.
The integration of top-tier musical performances like Burna Boy's with the continent's premier football tournament underscores the deep cultural connection and celebratory spirit that defines modern African sporting events.
