Senegal lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy for the second time in their history, defeating hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in Sunday's final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.The match seemed destined for penalties until chaos erupted in stoppage time.
A late VAR-awarded penalty to Morocco — following a contentious pull on Brahim Diaz — prompted Senegal's players to briefly walk off the pitch in protest, led by coach Pape Bouna Thiaw. After a tense delay of around 14 minutes, talisman Sadio Mane played a pivotal role in convincing his teammates to return.
Diaz then stepped up and attempted a Panenka, only for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to calmly save it, keeping the scores level at 0-0.The drama continued into extra time, where Pape Gueye delivered a stunning rocket in the 94th minute, firing past the Moroccan defense to seal the victory and spark wild celebrations among the Teranga Lions supporters.
This triumph marks Senegal's second AFCON title since their breakthrough win in 2021, cementing their status as one of Africa's dominant forces this decade. Mane, who has hinted this might be his final tournament appearance, once again proved his leadership both on and off the pitch, while Mendy's heroics and Gueye's decisive strike will be etched in the memories of fans.
Morocco, despite the home advantage and their quest to end a 50-year wait for continental glory, were left heartbroken. Coach Walid Regragui expressed disappointment, calling the events "shameful," though he congratulated the winners.
The final will long be remembered not just for the result, but for the extraordinary scenes that tested the spirit of African football. Senegal's resilience prevailed, delivering a memorable chapter in the tournament's storied history.
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