In an unexpected twist during the Africa Cup of Nations final, Senegal delivered a shocking 1-0 victory over Morocco, thanks to a goal from Pape Gueye in extra time. However, the match was overshadowed by chaotic scenes that erupted after a contentious penalty decision.
Morocco's Brahim Diaz had a golden opportunity to secure the championship when he stepped up to take a penalty in the 24th minute of stoppage time, following a lengthy delay—nearly 20 minutes—triggered by the VAR review of a foul committed against him by Senegal's defender El Hadji Malick Diouf. Unfortunately for Morocco, Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made a clean save, thwarting Diaz’s weak chip attempt.
The penalty was awarded by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala in the dying moments of the game, igniting protests from Diaz and the Moroccan squad, who fervently urged the referee to reconsider the decision after reviewing the footage. This controversial call enraged Senegalese players and their fans, leading to a tense atmosphere as many Senegal supporters reacted by throwing chairs and other objects in frustration.
Fortunately, they were kept at bay by a strong presence of police and stewards. The mood shifted dramatically when Mendy saved the penalty, turning anger into joy among Senegal's fans. Former Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel condemned the situation, referring to it as a “shameful end” to the tournament, while acknowledging the frustrations that led to the disturbance.
Earlier in the match, Senegal had also felt aggrieved when a goal they scored was disallowed for a foul, which heightened tensions on the pitch. But after Diaz’s missed penalty, it seemed almost destined that Senegal would counterattack. In the fourth minute of extra time, Sadio Mane intercepted the ball in midfield and connected with Idrissa Gana Gueye, who then passed to Pape Gueye. The Villarreal midfielder skillfully evaded Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi before delivering a stunning strike that found the top corner of the net, sending the 66,526 fans at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium into disbelief.
Morocco faced devastation following the goal, particularly Diaz, who was swiftly substituted afterward. They still had a chance to equalize, with Nayef Aguerd narrowly missing the target by hitting the crossbar during the second half of extra time. However, their dreams of winning the title for the first time in 50 years on home soil were dashed.
Senegal, having secured their second Cup of Nations title in three tournaments, now looks forward to competing in the World Cup scheduled for June in the United States. The team hopes to convince star player Mane to participate in another AFCON, despite his comments suggesting that this final might be his last in the tournament.
As the investigation into the disturbing actions during the match unfolds, it will likely scrutinize the behavior of both the Senegalese team and their supporters, as well as any organizational missteps by Moroccan officials. This final was marked by a defensive battle characteristic of the continent's top teams according to FIFA rankings, with few scoring opportunities. Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half chance was thwarted by Bounou, and Morocco failed to capitalize on a clear opportunity just before the hour mark when Ayoub El Kaabi misfired from a Bilal El Khannouss cross.
In an ironic twist, the goal by Gueye marked the first time Senegal found the net in an AFCON final, ending a frustrating streak from their previous three appearances where they could not score. Ultimately, this match concluded a heart-wrenching campaign for Morocco, with many of their fans departing the stadium before the final whistle on a chilly, rainy night in Rabat.
