By The North Journals Sport Desk
In a final characterized by unprecedented drama including a protest walk-off and a high-stakes penalty miss Senegal silenced the home crowd in Rabat. Pape Gueye’s 94th-minute goal proved the difference as the Teranga Lions proved their mettle as the new giants of African football.
In a final defined by high-octane drama, a temporary pitch walk-off, and a missed “Panenka” penalty, the Teranga Lions of Senegal emerged as the kings of African football on Sunday night.
A thunderous extra-time strike from Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye was enough to secure a 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, handing Senegal their second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in history.
The victory for Pape Thiaw’s men ends the Atlas Lions’ dream of winning a second title on home soil, 50 years after their maiden triumph in 1976.
A Night of Farcical Drama
The match, played before a capacity crowd of 66,526, will be remembered as much for its technical quality as for the chaotic scenes that unfolded in the final minutes of regulation time.
With the score deadlocked at 0-0 in the 98th minute, Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a controversial penalty after Brahim Díaz went down under a challenge from El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Infuriated by the decision, several Senegalese players, led by captain Idrissa Gana Gueye, walked off the pitch in protest. The game was held up for nearly 20 minutes as tournament officials and coaching staff pleaded with the Lions of Teranga to return.
When play finally resumed, the stage was set for Morocco’s talisman, Brahim Díaz, to become the national hero. However, the Real Madrid star opted for an audacious “Panenka” chip that lacked the necessary height. Senegal’s veteran goalkeeper, Édouard Mendy, stood his ground and comfortably gathered the ball, sending the match into extra time amid a stunned silence in Rabat.
Gueye’s Moment of Magic
Galvanized by the penalty save, Senegal seized the initiative early in the first period of extra time. The decisive moment arrived in the 94th minute.
Following a swift counter-attack initiated by Sadio Mané, Idrissa Gana Gueye released Pape Gueye on the edge of the area. The midfielder surged past two Moroccan defenders before unleashing a ferocious left-footed drive into the top corner, leaving the tournament’s “Best Goalkeeper,” Yassine Bounou, with no chance.
Morocco threw everything forward in the second period of extra time. Nayef Aguerd saw a towering header crash off the crossbar, and Abde Ezzalzouli forced a brilliant save from Mendy in the dying seconds, but the Senegalese defense—missing the suspended Kalidou Koulibaly—remained resolute.
The Aftermath
At the final whistle, the contrast was stark. While Moroccan players collapsed in tears, Sadio Mané led the Senegalese celebrations. Mané, who provided the creative spark throughout the tournament, was later named the Tournament’s Best Player, while Morocco’s Brahim Díaz took home the Golden Boot with five goals.
“We showed the character of champions,” Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said in the post-match briefing. “To survive a penalty in front of 60,000 fans and then win it in extra time shows the mental strength of this group.”
For Morocco, the defeat marks a bitter end to a tournament where they were heavy favorites. Despite their clinical run to the final, including a penalty shootout win over Nigeria in the semi-finals, they were unable to find the finishing touch when it mattered most.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles finished the tournament in third place, having defeated Egypt in the bronze-medal match on Saturday.
