Senegal secured their second Africa Cup of Nations title with a 1-0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in one of the most controversial finals in the tournament’s history.
Pape Gueye’s thunderous strike four minutes into extra time settled a tense contest at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, but the match will be remembered as much for the extraordinary scenes that preceded the additional period.
Deep into stoppage time at the end of normal time, Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR check for a foul by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz at a corner.
The decision prompted Senegal coach Pape Thiaw to order his entire squad off the pitch in protest, with players walking to the tunnel and refusing to continue for 14 minutes.
Only captain Sadio Mane remained on the field, and it was the veteran forward who eventually persuaded his teammates to return and complete the match.
When play finally resumed, Diaz stepped up to take the penalty but saw his audacious panenka effort comfortably saved by Edouard Mendy, sending the final into extra time and silencing the home crowd of 66,526.
Senegal needed just four minutes of the additional period to capitalise on their reprieve. Mane won possession in midfield and fed Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released his namesake Pape Gueye with a perfectly weighted pass.
The midfielder surged forward and unleashed a stunning right-footed drive from 25 yards that flew into the top corner, giving Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou no chance.
The goal sparked wild celebrations amongst the Senegalese players and their supporters, whilst leaving the Moroccan fans stunned as their dreams of a first continental title since 1976 evaporated.
Morocco had dominated large periods of the match, particularly in the first half when they threatened repeatedly from set pieces through Abde Ezzalzouli’s deliveries.
Senegal created the clearest chance before the interval when Iliman Ndiaye was denied by Bounou after being played clean through on goal.
The hosts should have broken the deadlock just before the hour mark when Ayoub El Kaabi somehow prodded wide from close range after Bilal El Khannouss’s inviting cross.
The controversy began in the second minute of stoppage time when Senegal thought they had taken the lead. Abdoulaye Seck headed against the post from a corner and Ismaila Sarr nodded in the rebound, only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul after a VAR review.
That decision clearly angered the Senegalese bench and contributed to their furious reaction when the penalty was subsequently awarded to Morocco.
After the walk-off and the missed penalty, it felt inevitable that a galvanised Senegal would find a winner, and Gueye’s spectacular strike duly delivered their second AFCON crown.
Remarkably, it was the first goal Senegal had ever scored in an AFCON final, having lost the 2002 showpiece on penalties and the 2019 final 1-0 to Algeria before claiming the title in a penalty shootout against Egypt in 2021.
For Morocco, the defeat extends their miserable record in the competition. Their only previous title came in 1976, and they have now lost their only two appearances in traditional AFCON finals, having been beaten 2-1 by Tunisia in 2004.
Head coach Walid Regragui, who experienced final heartbreak as a player in that 2004 defeat, saw his hopes of redemption dashed despite guiding the Atlas Lions through the tournament with just one goal conceded prior to the final.
The result means Senegal have now won two of the last three AFCON titles and will head to the 2026 World Cup in the United States as one of Africa’s most formidable sides.
However, the match will inevitably be overshadowed by the chaotic scenes, with investigations likely into the conduct of both teams and the handling of the situation by match officials and organisers.
After the final whistle, Senegalese coach Thiaw apologised for ordering his players off the pitch, admitting he had reacted in the heat of the moment.
“We shouldn’t have reacted like that, but it’s done. We apologize to football,” Thiaw said. “After reflection, I really didn’t appreciate telling my players to leave the pitch. Sometimes, we react in the heat of the moment.”
Mane, who scored the winning goal in Senegal’s semi-final victory over Egypt, had previously indicated the final would be his last AFCON appearance, though the 31-year-old may reconsider after lifting the trophy once again.
Despite the controversy, Senegal’s triumph represents a remarkable achievement for interim coach Thiaw, who took charge following Aliou Cisse’s departure and has now guided the Teranga Lions to continental glory.
For Morocco and the watching home fans, it was a night that promised so much but delivered only heartbreak, as their long wait for AFCON success continues.
Morocco (4-3-3): Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Saibari, El Khannouss; Ezzalzouli, El Kaabi, Diaz
Senegal (4-3-3): Mendy; Diatta, Sarr, Niakhate, Diouf; L. Camara, Gueye, Gana Gueye; Mane, Jackson, Ndiaye
Referee: Jean-Jacques Ndala (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Attendance: 66,526 (Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat)
