Senegal claimed their second Africa Cup of Nations title after edging hosts Morocco 1–0 in extra time in a tense final decided by Pape Gueye’s stunning strike in Rabat.
The match, played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, was overshadowed by controversy and ugly scenes following a late penalty award to Morocco deep into stoppage time.
Brahim Diaz had the chance to secure the title for the hosts but his chipped penalty was comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy after a prolonged delay caused by VAR checks and heated protests.
The penalty, awarded after a challenge on Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf, sparked fury among Senegal players and supporters.
Tempers flared in the stands, with some away fans attempting to force their way onto the pitch before security restored order.
Senegal had earlier thought they had taken the lead when Ismaila Sarr scored from a rebound in added time, but the goal was ruled out for a foul, further heightening tensions.
After surviving the penalty scare, Senegal grew in confidence and struck decisively in the fourth minute of extra time.
Sadio Mane initiated the move by winning possession in midfield before releasing Idrissa Gana Gueye, who found Pape Gueye surging forward.
The Villarreal midfielder shrugged off Achraf Hakimi and rifled a superb shot into the top corner beyond Yassine Bounou.
Morocco pushed hard for an equaliser, with Nayef Aguerd hitting the crossbar in extra time, but the breakthrough never came.
The hosts were left heartbroken as their dream of lifting the trophy on home soil and ending a 50-year wait for a second AFCON title faded away.
Senegal nearly doubled their lead late on, but Cherif Ndiaye missed a clear chance. Still, the Lions of Teranga held firm to secure victory.
The triumph marks Senegal’s second AFCON title in three editions, following their penalty shoot-out win over Egypt in 2022.
Remarkably, Gueye’s goal was the first Senegal have ever scored in an AFCON final after failing to find the net in their previous appearances in the decider.
Senegal now turn their attention to the World Cup in the United States later this year, while questions remain over the disturbances that marred the final and the organisation of the event in Rabat.
