Senegal were knocked out in a chaotic AFCON final, but came back to beat hosts Morocco in extra time

January 19 – Senegal wins the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time by stunning tournament hosts Morocco 1–0 in extra time in a dramatic final after the West African team leave the field following a controversial penalty decision.

It was a final like no other, with a finish like no other: Pape Gueye grabbed the winner with a powerful strike, Senegal’s 100th goal in tournament history, in the 94th minute to crown the Lions of Teranga as continental champions five years after winning their first title.

But the final will be remembered for a different reason: a controversial penalty preceded by an impromptu walk-off from the Senegalese overshadowed the evening in Rabat.

It was a great end to a predictable and often boring tournament. Approaching stoppage time, the hosts received a soft VAR penalty, but Senegal manager Pape Thiaw pulled his players off the field in protest. They then retreated to the changing rooms before returning to the pitch after sixteen minutes had passed. From the penalty spot, Brahim Diaz directed Panenka right into the arms of goalkeeper Eduoard Mendy who was standing still and caught it easily.

As the tournament’s top scorer, Diaz has been one of the outstanding performers but there was no sixth goal, and no victory for Morocco for the first time since 1976.

Diaz won a penalty when El Hadji Malick Diouf appeared to drag him to the ground near the striker’s neck as the ball was crossed. Minutes earlier, Senegal’s goal – Ismaila Sarr’s header – was ruled out due to a light tug on Achraf Hakimi.

The Lions of Teranga then had reason to feel aggrieved, but this walk-off was unprecedented. Early in extra time, the Senegalese got their justice when Gueye put the ball into the net, a shot that proved the winner.

The match was open and Morocco almost scored with two headers from Youssef En-Nesyri and Nayef Aguerd, hitting the crossbar, but failed to equalize. The final itself was a draw because both sides lacked quality in front of goal. Senegal also had to deal with delays in Krepin Diatta’s withdrawal due to illness and the suspension of captain Kalidou Koulibaly.

This was Senegal’s second win at the Africa Cup of Nations and was proof of their consistent excellence. They also lost the 2019 final to Algeria. Thiaw has now won the tournament both as a player and manager.

His decision to release his players may have triggered disciplinary action, but ahead of the final Senegal were already concerned about inadequate security when they arrived at Agdal station in Rabat on Saturday morning, objecting to only receiving around 2,800 tickets for the 69,500-seat stadium, changing hotels, and expressing dissatisfaction at being ordered to train at the Mohammed VI complex in Salé. Cameroon and Nigeria previously complained about refereeing decisions that were not in favor of the hosts.

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