Senegal claimed their second Africa Cup of Nations title in three editions after Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in a chaotic final marred by controversy and crowd disturbances at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday.
The Villarreal midfielder struck a superb goal in the 94th minute, finding the top corner with a brilliant strike that left 66,526 fans devastated and ended Morocco’s hopes of winning the trophy on home soil for the first time in 50 years.
The match descended into pandemonium in the 24th minute of added time at the end of normal time when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a controversial penalty following a VAR check for a challenge on Brahim Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf. The decision sparked fury amongst the Senegalese contingent, with most players walking off the pitch in protest whilst supporters threw chairs and attempted to breach the field of play.
Sadio Mane convinced his teammates to return, and their defiance proved justified when Edouard Mendy easily saved Diaz’s weak attempt. The Real Madrid winger appeared distracted by the lengthy delay following the penalty award.
“We had a feeling of injustice. Just before the penalty we thought we should have had a goal and the referee didn’t go to VAR,” said match-winner Gueye, referencing Ismaila Sarr’s disallowed effort in the second added minute. “Sadio told us to come back on and we remobilised. Edouard then made the save, we stayed focused, got the goal and won the game.”
The penalty miss galvanised Senegal, and they struck decisively in the fourth minute of extra time. Mane won possession in midfield and found Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released his namesake Pape Gueye. The midfielder advanced towards goal before unleashing an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Morocco nearly forced penalties when Nayef Aguerd headed against the crossbar in the second period of extra time, but Senegal held firm to secure victory. Many home supporters departed before the final whistle on a cold, wet night, unable to witness their team’s heartbreak.
The victory represents Senegal’s second AFCON triumph following their penalty shoot-out success against Egypt in Yaoundé in 2022. Gueye’s strike marked the first goal Senegal have scored in an AFCON final, having failed to find the net in their three previous appearances in the tournament’s deciding match.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui expressed disappointment with the scenes. “The image we gave of African football was rather shameful. Having to stop the game for more than 10 minutes with the world watching is not very classy,” he said, urging his team to “come back stronger.”
The incidents will likely prompt investigations into the conduct of Senegal’s team and supporters, alongside scrutiny of Moroccan organisers’ preparations. Mane declared the final would be his last AFCON appearance.
You must be logged in to post a comment.