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Senegal claimed their second Africa Cup of Nations title after edging hosts Morocco 1-0 in a dramatic and chaotic extra-time final in Rabat on Sunday.
The match finished goalless after 90 minutes but was overshadowed by controversy deep into stoppage time when Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review. The decision sparked furious protests from Senegal’s players, who briefly walked off the pitch on the instruction of head coach Pape Thiaw amid heated confrontations between players, officials and technical staff.
Play was halted for over 14 minutes as tempers flared both on and off the field, with Senegal supporters attempting to storm the pitch and riot police forced to intervene. Objects were thrown onto the turf, electronic advertising boards were damaged, and one steward was stretchered off after sustaining an injury.
When the game eventually resumed, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz failed to convert the penalty, seeing his audacious panenka attempt saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. The miss sent the final into extra time under intense pressure and pouring rain.
Senegal took advantage minutes into the first period of extra time when Pape Gueye collected a pass from Idrissa Gana Gueye and fired a powerful left-footed strike past Yassine Bounou to give the Teranga Lions a decisive lead.
Despite sustained Moroccan pressure, Senegal held firm to secure a 1-0 victory and lift their second AFCON title in five years, having previously won the tournament in 2021. The triumph also marked Senegal’s second title in the last three editions of the competition.
Speaking after the match, Thiaw admitted his decision to lead the players off the pitch was made in the heat of the moment.
“We shouldn’t have reacted like that, and we apologize to football,” he said. “Sometimes emotions take over, but we showed character and resilience. The players deserve this trophy.”
Senegal star Sadio Mané said the final demanded everything from the team.
“I told myself this could be my last AFCON match,” Mané said. “There was no tomorrow. I had to give everything, and in the end we were rewarded.”
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui criticized the stoppage and defended Díaz, insisting the lengthy delay affected the penalty taker.
“The match was shameful for Africa,” Regragui said. “Too much time passed before the penalty. When you miss a penalty, everything turns against you.”
The defeat extended Morocco’s wait for a first AFCON title in nearly 50 years, while Senegal celebrated another historic night, sprinting away in jubilation at the final whistle as continental champions once again.
