In a wild final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium that featured dramatic moments, Senegal defeated Morocco to win their second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) championship thanks to a goal by Gueye in extra time.
After a protracted delay in injury time, which saw Senegalese players leave the field in protest over a contentious penalty award to Morocco, the West Africans seemed to steal triumph from the jaws of defeat. Senegal managed to hold on and force extra time when Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz embarrassingly missed the penalty attempt.
The game, which was the two teams’ first-ever AFCON finals meeting, was mostly a tense one with few obvious opportunities in regular time. Senegal, the reigning 2021 champions, faced a motivated host country hoping to break a 50-year gap since their previous regional victory in 1976.
Senegal produced the better opportunities, although Morocco controlled possession in the first half. Pape Gueye’s header from a corner and Iliman Ndiaye’s attempt with a trailing leg were both stopped by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who was awarded African Goalkeeper of the Year.
Morocco managed to contain their opponents in the second half, but they had trouble turning that pressure into goals. When Senegal believed they had scored with Ismaila Sarr’s header off the bar from Abdoulaye Seck in stoppage time, the drama intensified. However, referee Jean Jacques Ngambo Ndala disallowed it for a mild foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi.
Shortly after, El Hadji Malick Diouf of Senegal tugged on Diaz during a corner, and VAR stepped in to give Morocco a penalty. Confrontations on the touchline resulted from the Senegalese bench’s indignation. While supporters clashed with security and several tried to storm the field with metal chairs, coach Pape Thiaw ordered his team off the field.
The teams returned after a protracted delay, and Brahim Diaz made what would have been the game-winning kick to put a stop to Morocco’s protracted quest for victory. But Edouard Mendy held his footing and cleanly retrieved his attempted Panenka chip down the middle.
Four minutes into extra time, Gueye broke the impasse and gave Senegal the lead. Nayef Aguerd hit the bar from a corner header as Morocco tried to level, but they were unable to do so as Rabat saw torrential rain.
The game was overshadowed by the unpleasant circumstances at the end, which put a shadow over African football, particularly as Morocco is using this tournament as a test run for co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Riot police kept players and spectators apart during Senegal’s joyous but restrained festivities. Many members of the team returned from the 2021 penalty shootout victory over Egypt, including star Sadio Mane, who suggested this might be his last AFCON.
Morocco was devastated by the loss, which dramatically dashed hopes of a victory at home. The Teranga Lions of Senegal have now won consecutive championships, solidifying their position as Africa’s dominant team.
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