Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1โ0 in a dramatic and astonishing Africa Cup of Nations final after extra time at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on Sunday.
The match was marred by controversy, most notably when Senegalese players briefly left the pitch in protest over a penalty awarded to Morocco. The stoppage lasted more than 10 minutes, as players and benches from both sides argued heatedly, before play eventually resumed in the 112th minute.
Despite missing captain Kalidou Koulibaly, Senegal made the decisive moment count after the resumption, with Pape Gueye firing home a stunning strike in the 93rd minute of extra time to seal the title.
The final pitted Africaโs two highest-ranked nations against each other. Morocco, ranked 11th in the world and first in Africa, faced Senegal, who are ranked 19th globally and second on the continent, and are the defending AFCON champions from 2022.
The match also potentially marked Sadio Manรฉโs final appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, having hinted before the game that it could be his last. Morocco, meanwhile, were led by captain Achraf Hakimi, the 2025 African Footballer of the Year. Ironically, both stars were playing on the same side of the pitch.
Both nations have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Morocco entered the final unbeaten since their loss to South Africa in the round of 16 at AFCON 2024. Senegal, on the other hand, had lost only once since Pape Thiaw replaced Aliou Cissรฉโa friendly defeat to Brazilโwhile also recording a notable victory over England. Cissรฉ was present in the stands, watching from the VIP suite.
Senegal nearly took an early lead when Idrissa Gueye rose highest from a corner, but his powerful header was brilliantly saved by Yassine Bounou. Using their physical strength and intensity, the Teranga Lions dominated much of the match, particularly in midfield.
Morocco relied largely on counter-attacks, with Ayoub El Kaabi often isolated. Tournament top scorer Brahim Dรญaz, who netted five goals during the competition, struggled to influence the game in the opening stages.
In the 38th minute, Iliman Ndiaye latched onto a precise pass and went one-on-one with Bounou, but the Everton forward saw his low effort denied by Yassine Bounouโs outstretched leg. Shortly after, Moroccoโs Abdessamad Ezzalzouli produced a brilliant turn and delivered a dangerous cross that narrowly missed Nayef Aguerd inside the box.
El Kaabi squandered a big chance in the 58th minute when he met a fine pass in the area but sliced his shot narrowly wide of the left post, despite having scored four goals in the tournament.
With both sides creating few clear-cut chances, extra time seemed inevitable. However, Ibrahim Mbaye almost snatched a late winner when he cut inside and tested Bounou, who produced a crucial save to keep Morocco alive.
As the match neared the end of regulation time, a major flashpoint occurred when Dรญaz was pulled down by the neck by El Hadji Diouf, an incident initially missed by referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala. After reviewing the incident following protests from Dรญaz, the referee awarded a penalty. In protest, Senegal coach Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch.
The situation descended into farce, with Senegal players visibly aggrieved. Sadio Manรฉ eventually intervened, showing sportsmanship by persuading his teammates to return to the field. After a delay of more than 14 minutes, play resumed.
Dรญaz stepped up to take the penalty but attempted a Panenka, which was comfortably saved by Edouard Mendy, who stood his ground, leaving the Real Madrid attacker embarrassed. It was a remarkable moment that ended regulation time in extraordinary fashion.
Early in extra time, Senegal struck decisively. Just four minutes in, Pape Gueye unleashed a stunning long-range effort that flew into the top corner as Moroccan defenders back-pedalled. It was the first goal Morocco had conceded from open play in the tournament. Dรญazโs reaction after the goal told its own story, visibly crushed after missing the decisive penalty.
Morocco pushed for an equaliser, with Youssef En-Nesyri meeting a cross from Ezzalzouli, but his effort found the side netting. Senegal could have wrapped up the match in the second half of extra time, but Bounou made successive saves to deny substitute Chรฉrif Ndiaye.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for Morocco, whose womenโs national team have also lost the last two Womenโs AFCON finals. The loss means the Atlas Lionsโ wait for a second AFCON title will extend beyond 50 years, having last lifted the trophy in 1976 and losing their previous final in 2004 to Tunisia.
Despite the disappointment for the hosts, this extraordinary final will not be forgotten anytime soon.