Senegal have emerged champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging host nation Morocco 1-0 in extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday night.
Gatekeepers News reports that the final was tense and dramatic, with both teams locked in a goalless draw after regulation time.
The match took a controversial turn deep into added time when a penalty was awarded to Morocco, a decision that sparked strong reactions from the Senegalese players.
The penalty followed a VAR review after El Hadji Malick Diouf was judged to have pulled Brahim Diaz by the neck during a corner kick. Referee Jean Jacques Ndala of DR Congo upheld the decision, leading to protests from the Senegal camp.
In response, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to walk off the pitch, resulting in a stoppage that lasted about 13 minutes. The situation was eventually calmed after team captain Sadio Mane persuaded his teammates to return to the field and resume the game.
Morocco failed to take advantage of the opportunity as Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, allowing Senegal to survive the scare and push the match into extra time.
Just four minutes into extra time, Senegal struck the decisive goal. Pape Gueye finished off a fast counterattack that was initiated by Mane, sending the Senegalese fans into celebration and silencing the home crowd.
Senegal defended strongly for the remainder of extra time to secure the victory and lift the AFCON trophy for the second time in their history, having previously won the title in 2021.
The triumph also means the Teranga Lions have claimed two championships in the last three AFCON tournaments, further establishing their status as one of Africa’s top football teams.
