Senegal sealed their second Africa Cup of Nations title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morocco after extra time, as Pape Gueye’s decisive strike settled a tense final that will be remembered as much for its controversy as its quality.
The country won its first AFCON title in 2021 and got its decisive win for the 2025 championship four minutes into extra time. Bursting forward from midfield, Villarreal’s Gueye shrugged off a tiring challenge from Achraf Hakimi before unleashing a stunning left-footed shot into the top corner of the crossbar.
Yet the match will be remembered just as much for the extraordinary scenes that unfolded at the end of normal time. With eight minutes initially added on, referee Jean Jacques Ndala was advised by VAR to review a tug by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz during a corner. The Congolese official pointed to the spot, triggering furious protests from Senegal’s players and staff.
What began as complaints descended into chaos. Both benches emptied, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw clashed with Morocco counterpart Walid Regragui, and the Teranga Lions were eventually ordered down the tunnel. In the stands, angry supporters attempted to force their way on to the pitch, clashing with security and causing a lengthy delay.
When calm was finally restored and the players returned, Diaz stepped up to take a penalty that could have delivered Morocco their first AFCON crown since 1976 with virtually the last kick of the game.
After the prolonged interruption, the pressure told. The Real Madrid midfielder attempted a ‘panenka,’ but Edouard Mendy stood his ground and collected with ease, sending the contest into extra time.
For Senegal, the triumph marked back-to-back AFCON final successes, following their penalty shoot out victory over Egypt in 2021. Many of the same players were involved again, including talisman Sadio Mane, who has strongly hinted this could be his final appearance at the tournament.
Morocco, Africa’s highest-ranked side, had arrived believing this competition would crown years of heavy investment in football under King Mohammed VI. Instead, they became only the fourth host nation to lose an AFCON final, their long wait for a title stretching back to 1976 still unbroken.
Written by Kweku Sampson
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