By Ayomide Otitoju
Senegal clinched the Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday with a dramatic 1–0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco, as Pape Gueye’s stunning strike sealed the final amid controversy and crowd disorder in Rabat.
The decisive moment came in the fourth minute of extra time when Villarreal midfielder Gueye powered into the box and beat goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with a superb shot into the top corner, silencing the home crowd of 66,526 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The final had been overshadowed by chaotic scenes late in regulation time following a controversial penalty award. Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala pointed to the spot after a VAR review ruled that Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf had fouled Brahim Diaz in the box. The decision, given after the allotted eight minutes of added time had elapsed, triggered lengthy delays and angry protests.
Diaz stepped up to take the penalty in the 24th minute of added time but saw his attempted chip easily saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The prolonged stoppage appeared to unsettle the Real Madrid winger, while tensions spilled into the stands as some Senegal supporters threw objects and attempted to enter the pitch before being restrained by security personnel.
Senegal had earlier been frustrated by the disallowance of a late goal in added time, when Ismaila Sarr turned in a rebound after Abdoulaye Seck’s header struck the post. However, the penalty miss appeared to galvanise the West Africans, who struck soon after extra time began.
Morocco came close to forcing a penalty shoot-out when Nayef Aguerd headed against the crossbar in the second half of extra time, but Senegal held firm despite Cherif Ndiaye missing a late chance to make it 2–0.
The match itself was tight and low on clear chances, reflecting the defensive strength of Africa’s top-ranked sides. Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye was denied one-on-one by Bounou in the first half, while Morocco wasted a key opportunity just before the hour mark when Ayoub El Kaabi poked wide from Bilal El Khannouss’ cross.
The defeat was a bitter blow for Morocco, who were chasing a first AFCON title in 50 years in front of their home supporters. Many fans left the stadium before the final whistle on a cold, wet night in the capital.
For Senegal, the victory marked their second AFCON triumph in three editions, following their maiden title win against Egypt in 2022. Remarkably, Gueye’s strike was the Lions of Teranga’s first-ever goal in an AFCON final, having failed to score in their previous three appearances in the showpiece.
Senegal will now turn their attention to the World Cup in the United States later this year, while uncertainty surrounds the international future of captain Sadio Mané, who has indicated that this final may have been his last appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Authorities are expected to investigate the disorder that marred the final, with scrutiny likely to fall on the conduct of both supporters and match organisation.
