Senegal, The Lions of Teranga on Sunday night defeated hosts Morocco to claim their second Africa Cup of Nations, in a final marred by chaotic scenes following the reward of a late penalty to the hosts at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner sank hosts Morocco 1-0, capping a chaotic final in which the eventual champions stormed off the pitch late in the game.
Brahim Diaz could have won the trophy for Morocco when he stepped up to take the spot-kick in the 24th added minute at the end of normal times but his weak attempted “Panenka” was comfortably saved Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The contentious penalty had been awarded by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala at the very end of the allotted eight minutes of stoppage time, following a VAR review of a challenge on Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The Moroccan players vehemently appealed to the referee to check the replays, but the eventual decision to give the penalty was met with fury by Senegal and their supporters.
It was Gueye’s brilliant 94th-minute strike secured the title for Senegal in extra time.
This is Senegal’s second AFCON title in the last three editions, after they defeated Egypt on penalties in Yaounde in 2022 to lift the trophy for the first time.
