RABAT, Morocco — Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday night after a chaotic and controversial final against host nation Morocco that ended 1-0 after extra time, a match remembered as much for disorder as for football.
Midfielder Pape Gueye scored the winning goal early in extra time to give Senegal their second AFCON crown, following their 2021 triumph. The goal came minutes after a dramatic stoppage-time penalty miss by Morocco that plunged the final into turmoil.
The match, played at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, descended into chaos deep into stoppage time when Moroccan forward Brahim Diaz was awarded a penalty after VAR ruled that Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf had pulled him down in the box. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw reacted angrily, ordering his players off the pitch in protest.
Several Senegal players walked toward the tunnel as fans clashed with stewards in the stands. Chairs were thrown near the touchline, and security forces rushed in to restore order. Play was halted for nearly 20 minutes as the clock ran far beyond the eight minutes of added time.
Senegal captain Sadio Mane repeatedly urged his teammates to return, even running down the tunnel himself. The players eventually came back to loud boos from the home crowd.
When the penalty was finally taken, Diaz attempted a chipped shot that was easily caught by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who had been booked moments earlier for protesting the decision. The miss forced the final into extra time.
Former Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel, speaking on television, called the scenes “a shameful end” for African football, while also criticizing Senegal’s walk-off protest.
Senegal took control four minutes into extra time when Gueye fired a powerful long-range shot into the top corner. Morocco pushed hard for an equalizer, hitting the crossbar through Nayef Aguerd and creating several late chances, but Senegal held on.
The final whistle confirmed Senegal as champions, while Moroccan fans left stunned. Morocco have now gone 50 years without an AFCON title, their only win coming in 1976.
Despite the ugly ending, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be remembered for its attacking football. The tournament set a new record for total goals scored, the highest in AFCON history, underlining the growing quality and pace of the African game.
For Senegal, however, the night will always be about resilience amid chaos and a title won the hard way.
