Senegal Defeat Morocco in Dramatic AFCON Final

Senegal were crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions after Pape Gueye’s extra-time strike sealed a dramatic 1–0 victory over hosts Morocco in a chaotic final that saw tempers flare and controversy dominate the closing stages. Morocco appeared to have been handed a golden chance to decide the match deep into stoppage time when Brahim Diaz stepped up to take a penalty in the 24th minute of added time at the end of normal play. The award, which followed a lengthy VAR review, sparked immediate dispute on the pitch and in the stands.

The Real Madrid winger, visibly unsettled by the prolonged delay, attempted a risky “Panenka,” but Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy read it with ease and made a comfortable save to keep the scores level.

That miss proved to be a turning point. With tensions still high, the final moved into extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where Gueye struck in the 94th minute with a superb finish to hand Senegal the title and stun the home crowd of 66,526.

The penalty itself had been awarded by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala at the very end of the allotted eight minutes of stoppage time, after a review of a challenge by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Diaz. Moroccan players protested fiercely as the decision was checked, while Senegal’s players and supporters reacted angrily when the spot-kick was ultimately given.

Senegal had already been frustrated moments earlier when a goal by Ismaila Sarr was disallowed for a foul in the second minute of added time, adding to the sense of grievance on the Senegalese bench.

Gueye’s goal silenced the stadium and completed a memorable night for Senegal, who have now won two AFCON titles in the last three editions, following their penalty shootout triumph over Egypt in Yaounde in 2022.

Attention now turns to the World Cup, with Senegal hoping to convince star forward Sadio Mane to feature in another AFCON after he indicated this final would be his last appearance in the tournament. For Morocco, it was a bitter ending, as many supporters filed out of the stadium before the final whistle on a cold, wet night.