Senegal have won their second Africa Cup of Nations title after a 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in a final that will be remembered more for extraordinary scenes of protest and a near-collapse of order than for the football itself.
A powerful 94th-minute strike from Pape Gueye in extra time was enough to seal the gold for the Teranga Lions. However, the match was defined by a remarkable stoppage-time sequence in which the Senegal team walked off the pitch in protest before returning to witness a botched “Panenka” penalty.
The victory means both nations remain tied on two titles apiece, with Senegal adding the 2025 trophy to their 2021 success.
Players leave the pitch
The atmosphere at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium turned toxic deep into regulation time when the referee awarded a contentious penalty to Morocco following a lengthy VAR review.
The decision sparked a furious reaction from the Senegalese players, who surrounded the match officials. In scenes rarely witnessed in a major continental final, the Senegal team briefly walked off the pitch, leading to a prolonged delay as security personnel and CAF officials scrambled to restore order.
The Panenka that failed
When play finally resumed, Morocco’s star playmaker Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the potential match-winning penalty.
In a moment of high-stakes bravado, Diaz attempted a “Panenka” chip down the centre of the goal. However, Senegal’s veteran goalkeeper Edouard Mendy remained stationary, comfortably catching the ball to the roar of the travelling fans and the stunned silence of the home crowd.
Gueye settles the nerves
With the match ending 0-0 after 90 minutes of high tension and repeated VAR interventions, it was Senegal who found the breakthrough early in extra time.
Pape Gueye unleashed a ferocious long-range effort that flew into the top corner, leaving the Moroccan goalkeeper with no chance. Despite a late onslaught from the hosts—including a shot that rattled the crossbar—Senegal’s defence held firm through nearly 15 minutes of added time at the end of the 120 minutes.
A tournament of friction
The chaotic final serves as a dramatic conclusion to a tournament that has been marked by off-field tension.
Only 24 hours before kick-off, Senegal had officially accused Morocco of “sabotage” regarding training facilities and ticket allocations. While the trophy returns to Dakar, the fallout from the scenes in Rabat is likely to lead to a significant investigation by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
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