Senegal secured its second Africa Cup of Nations title with a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over host nation Morocco, in a final overshadowed by a lengthy on-field protest. The match descended into chaos in the 24th minute of stoppage time when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, after a VAR review, awarded Morocco a penalty for a challenge on Brahim Diaz.
Senegal secured its second Africa Cup of Nations title with a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over host nation Morocco, in a final overshadowed by a lengthy on-field protest. The match descended into chaos in the 24th minute of stoppage time when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, after a VAR review, awarded Morocco a penalty for a challenge on Brahim Diaz.
The Senegal team reacted furiously to the decision, with most players walking off the pitch in protest. The delay stretched for several minutes as objects were thrown from the Senegal fan section and order was restored by security. When play finally resumed, Moroccan star Diaz saw his weak chipped penalty easily saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Galvanized by the reprieve, Senegal scored the decisive goal just four minutes into extra time. Pape Gueye, set up by Idrissa Gana Gueye, held off defender Achraf Hakimi before firing a superb strike into the top corner of the net. Morocco nearly equalized when Nayef Aguerd's header struck the crossbar, but Senegal held on to claim the trophy.
The victory marks Senegal's second continental championship in three tournaments, having won their first title in 2022. Match-winner Pape Gueye dedicated the triumph to his team's determination, stating, "We gave everything. We didn't cheat... Senegal are champions of Africa and we are so happy."
The defeat was a crushing conclusion for Morocco, which had aimed to win its first AFCON title since 1976 in front of a home crowd. The match itself was a tense, defensive affair with few clear chances before the late drama. Morocco coach Walid Regragui congratulated Senegal but lamented the disappointing image projected by the chaotic scenes surrounding the penalty incident.
The incidents are likely to prompt an investigation into the conduct of the Senegal team and supporters, as well as the security response. For Senegal, the win caps a successful campaign and builds momentum ahead of the World Cup, though it also marked the final AFCON match for star forward Sadio Mane, who announced his retirement from the tournament.
