Senegal were on Sunday night crowned champions of Africa after edging hosts Morocco 1–0 in a dramatic, emotionally charged Africa Cup of Nations final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
In front of a near-capacity and overwhelmingly partisan crowd, the Lions of Teranga displayed remarkable resilience, tactical discipline, and mental strength to secure their second continental title, sealing victory in extra time after a match marked by controversy, tension,n and late drama.
Morocco dominated possession from the outset, pushing forward with wave after wave of attacks, while Senegal adopted a compact and organised defensive shape, absorbing pressure and waiting patiently for openings on the counter. Goalkeepers Yassine Bounou and Edouard Mendy were outstanding in regulation time, producing a series of crucial saves to keep their teams level and the contest alive.
As the match entered its closing stages, the atmosphere inside the stadium grew increasingly intense. A late Senegal chance in the 89th minute was brilliantly denied by Bounou, while in stoppage time chaos erupted when a goalmouth scramble following a corner appeared to result in a Moroccan goal. The celebrations were short-lived, however, as the referee ruled out the effort for a foul in the build-up, further inflaming an already volatile crowd.
The turning point came moments later when Brahim Díaz went down in the penalty area following another set-piece. After initially waving play on, the referee reversed his decision following a VAR review, awarding Morocco a penalty amid furious protests and heated scenes on and off the pitch. Members of the coaching staff clashed, supporters attempted to approach the field, and Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw briefly instructed his players to leave the pitch in protest or concern for their safety.
Calm was eventually restored, with captain Sadio Mané urging his teammates to return and finish the match “like men.” As Díaz stepped up, Mendy attempted to unsettle the Real Madrid midfielder. The Moroccan opted for a panenka, but the effort lacked conviction and was comfortably saved by the Senegal goalkeeper, who barely had to move. The miss left Díaz in tears and the stadium in stunned silence as the match moved into extra time.
With momentum now on their side, Senegal struck the decisive blow in the 94th minute. Pape Gueye unleashed a powerful strike that beat Bounou and rippled the net, silencing the Rabat crowd and sending the Senegal bench into wild celebration.
Morocco threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. Youssef En-Nesyri came agonisingly close, rattling the post, but Mendy once again proved unbeatable, producing calm and authoritative saves to preserve Senegal’s slender advantage until the final whistle.
“This victory is the result of the hard work of the whole team,” Mendy said after the match. “We gave everything from the group stage until the final. Now we just want to go home and celebrate with our supporters.”
With the 1–0 extra-time triumph, Senegal add a second star to their crest, confirming their status among Africa’s football elite. For Morocco, the dream of lifting the trophy on home soil ended in heartbreak, in a final decided by the finest of margins and unforgettable drama.
