Senegal have claimed their second Africa Cup of Nations title in six years after defeating hosts Morocco in a dramatic and controversy-laden final in Rabat.
The match descended into chaos late in regulation when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty in the 98th minute following a VAR review that judged Moussa Diouf to have fouled Brahim Díaz inside the box.
The decision sparked immediate outrage from Senegal’s players and coaching staff, with head coach Aliou Thiaw briefly ordering his team to leave the pitch in protest. Tensions were fueled by an earlier incident in which Senegal had a goal disallowed for an alleged push on Achraf Hakimi, a call made without VAR, drawing claims of inconsistent officiating.
As tempers flared and several players began heading toward the tunnel, captain Sadio Mané intervened to calm the situation and convince his teammates to return to the field.
Play eventually resumed, with Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy in goal as Díaz stepped up to take the penalty. The Moroccan forward tried a panenka, but Mendy remained composed and comfortably saved the effort, swinging momentum decisively in Senegal’s favour.
In extra time, Senegal sealed the victory. Pape Gueye scored a stunning long-range goal in the fourth minute of added time, sending the ball past the Moroccan goalkeeper and igniting celebrations among Senegalese supporters.
Morocco were unable to respond, and Senegal held on to secure the win, lifting their second AFCON trophy in six years in a final remembered for both its on-field drama and Gueye’s match-winning strike.
