Sports
Amidst mild drama, Senegal edge Morocco in extra-time to win AFCON 2025 title
Chaos erupted in added time after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco following a VAR review.
Senegal were crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday after edging host nation Morocco 1–0 in a dramatic extra-time final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The pulsating encounter was marked by late controversy, protests, and high drama before the Teranga Lions finally emerged victorious to lift their second AFCON title in three tournaments.
Tension boiled over in added time of regulation when Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest after a penalty was awarded to Morocco in the eighth minute of stoppage time. The decision followed a VAR review, which showed Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf appearing to pull Brahim Diaz by the neck during a corner kick.
The referee, Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo of DR Congo, pointed to the spot, sparking heated reactions from Senegal’s players and technical crew. Head coach Pape Thiaw led his players off the pitch after an on-field confrontation involving match officials and Moroccan players.
The standoff lasted about 13 minutes before Senegal captain Sadio Mane persuaded his teammates to return and resume the match.
Morocco, however, failed to capitalise on the opportunity as Brahim Diaz missed the resulting penalty, allowing Senegal to survive regulation time and force extra-time.
Senegal then stunned the hosts in the fourth minute of extra-time when Pape Gueye fired home a spectacular long-range effort following a swift counter-attack initiated by Mane.
The Teranga Lions defended resolutely for the remainder of extra-time to secure a historic victory and silence the home crowd, sealing Senegal’s second AFCON triumph in their last three appearances in the final.
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