AFCON
Senegal Stun Hosts Morocco In Extraordinary AFCON Final To Claim A Second Title In Three Editions
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) delivered one of its most dramatic and perplexing finals in recent memory as Senegal edged Morocco 1–0 after extra time in Rabat.
A Clash of Titans in Rabat
With Africa’s two highest-ranked national teams going head-to-head and the Atlas Lions playing on home soil, the atmosphere inside Rabat’s stadium was electric from the very first whistle.
Morocco’s fans roared their team onto the pitch, creating a cauldron of noise that set the stage for an unforgettable showdown.
Despite both teams boasting elite defensive records throughout the tournament, the opening stages were surprisingly open. Yassine Bounou, Morocco’s ever-reliable shot-stopper, denied Pape Gueye’s early header, while Ismael Saibari came close at the opposite end.
The frenetic pace continued right up until halftime, with Iliman Ndiaye racing through on goal only to see his low shot brilliantly blocked by Bounou’s outstretched leg.
At the interval, Senegal looked the sharper of the two sides, quicker in transition and more incisive in midfield, but Morocco showed no intention of allowing the visitors to dominate the script.
Momentum Shifts and Rising Controversies
The second half saw Morocco come alive. Star striker Ayoub El Kaabi squandered two promising chances, including a shot that skidded inches wide after a perfectly weighted pass from Bilal El Khannouss.
Just as the Atlas Lions looked poised to tilt the contest in their favour, play was halted for a lengthy stoppage due to an unfortunate injury to Neil El Aynaoui.
The rhythm evaporated, but the drama escalated.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw introduced attacking reinforcements as he pushed for a winner in regulation time. His frustration boiled over in stoppage time when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala prematurely blew the whistle for full time seconds before Idrissa Gueye headed the ball into the net.
The instant disallowing of the goal sent the Senegal bench into outrage. But the real storm was still to come.
VAR Chaos and a Shocking Penalty Miss
Deep into stoppage time, VAR awarded Morocco a dramatic penalty, ruling that El Hadji Malick Diouf had pulled down Brahim Díaz in the box. Senegal’s players erupted in protest, forcing a stunning 15-minute delay as arguments with officials intensified.
When order was finally restored, Díaz stepped up for one of the most emotionally charged penalties in AFCON history only to chip an astonishingly poor effort straight at Édouard Mendy. The stadium gasped.
The miss sent the final into extra time and shifted all psychological momentum toward Senegal.
Pape Gueye Delivers a Moment of Magic
Barely minutes into extra time, a blistering Senegal counterattack saw Pape Gueye race forward, shrug off Achraf Hakimi, and unleash a sensational left-footed strike into the top corner. The goal exploded into the night sky as a moment of pure, unstoppable quality deserving of a continental title.
The hosts, stunned and desperate, threw everything forward.
Morocco’s Late Push Falls Agonisingly Short
Morocco pushed relentlessly in search of an equaliser. Nayef Aguerd came closest, rising above the defence only to send a powerful header crashing off the crossbar.
The tension tightened further when Bounou produced a miraculous fingertip save to deny Cherif Ndiaye, preventing what looked like a certain second goal for Senegal.
But the Atlas Lions’ late surge wasn’t enough. As the final whistle blew, Senegal’s players collapsed to the turf in joy, while Morocco’s dreams of a first AFCON title in 50 years faded under the Rabat lights.
A Golden Era for Senegal, Heartbreak for Morocco
With this victory, Senegal became the first team since 1982 to defeat a host nation in an AFCON final a remarkable feat that highlights their rise as Africa’s dominant footballing force. Adding this title to their 2021 triumph, the Lions of Teranga continue to build a legacy marked by resilience, talent, and a winning mentality.
For Morocco, the pain will be sharp. They played vibrant, courageous football throughout the tournament and carried the hopes of millions, only to fall one step short.
Yet their future remains bright, built on a generation capable of competing at the highest level.
