Senegal are champions of Africa once more, but their second AFCON title in five years came in scenes few will forget. A chaotic final in Rabat saw the Lions of Teranga walk off the pitch in protest, survive a last-gasp penalty scare, then strike in extra time to stun hosts Morocco.
The final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was tight, tense, and heavy with expectation. Morocco were chasing a first AFCON title since 1976 on home soil, while Senegal were seeking to confirm their status as the continent’s dominant force. The atmosphere crackled long before the drama erupted.
The first major flashpoint came deep into stoppage time. Senegal thought they had scored the winning goal when Ismaila Sarr headed home after a corner struck the post. Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala ruled it out for a foul in the build-up, and because he had already blown his whistle, VAR could not intervene.
Moments later, chaos truly broke loose. A VAR review awarded Morocco a penalty after El Hadji Malick Diouf was judged to have fouled Brahim Diaz. Senegal players and staff erupted in fury, and head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his team off the pitch in protest.
Only Sadio Mane stayed behind as his teammates disappeared down the tunnel. Play was halted for around 14 minutes, with benches clashing and fans growing restless. Fighting broke out in sections of the crowd, and one steward was carried off injured.
Eventually, Senegal returned after Mane urged calm. Diaz stepped up to take the penalty, but the long delay appeared to weigh heavily. He attempted a Panenka and chipped the ball straight into the arms of Edouard Mendy, who had also been booked moments earlier for scuffing the spot.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui later said, “A lot of time passed before Brahim was able to take the penalty, and this put him off.” He added, “What we showed of African football was disappointing.”
The miss shifted the emotional balance of the final. Senegal looked reborn, focused, and defiant. Four minutes into extra time, Pape Gueye delivered the decisive moment.
Winning the ball in midfield, Senegal moved with purpose. Gueye surged forward, held off Achraf Hakimi, and smashed a stunning strike past Yassine Bounou into the top corner. The away end erupted, while silence fell across much of the stadium.
Gueye later said, “We had a feeling of injustice. Sadio told us to come back on and we remobilised. Edouard then made the save, we stayed focused, got the goal and won the game.”
Morocco pushed desperately for an equaliser. Nayef Aguerd struck the crossbar, and chances came and went, but Senegal held firm. When the final whistle came, some home fans had already left, unable to watch the ending.
Senegal’s victory secured their second AFCON crown of the decade, after their 2021 triumph over Egypt. Yet the scenes that framed this final have reignited fierce debate over refereeing standards, VAR use, and tournament management.
It was a night of triumph and turmoil, joy and shame, glory and controversy. Senegal will remember the trophy. Africa will remember the chaos.
