By Alex Rhodes
Senegal secured the Africa Cup of Nations title with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Morocco on Sunday as Pape Gueye’s extra-time strike sealed glory in a final overshadowed by controversy and crowd unrest.
It marks Senegal’s second AFCON success following their penalty shoot-out triumph against Egypt in 2021.
Morocco, hosting the tournament, were searching for their first continental title since 1976.
Chaos overshadows the final
The defining moments of the match came during a dramatic second-half stoppage period.
Deep into the eight added minutes, West Ham defender El Hadji Malick Diouf tugged the shirt of Brahim Díaz inside the penalty area and after a VAR intervention, referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty to Morocco.
Chaos ensued immediately as both benches flooded onto the pitch.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch and return to the dressing room as some fans attempted to storm the field armed with metal chairs.
Sadio Mané, Senegal’s highest-ever goal scorer, appeared reluctant to follow suit and played a key role in convincing his team-mates to return to the pitch 17 minutes later.
After the match, Mané said: “We have to give football a good image.
“I think it would be crazy to not play this game because what – the referee gave a penalty and we go out the game? I think that would be the worst thing, especially in African football.
“I think it’s really bad.”
Once play resumed, Real Madrid’s Díaz attempted a Panenka from the penalty spot, which Senegal keeper Édouard Mendy caught with ease to send the match to extra time.
READ MORE: Liverpool news: Reds frustrated by Burnley at Anfield as pressure grows on Arne Slot
Extra-time breaks Moroccan hearts
Morocco would rue that missed chance when, in the 94th minute, Villarreal’s Gueye burst from his own half, shrugging off the challenge of a tiring Achraf Hakimi just outside the Moroccan box, and unleashed a thundering left-footed effort into the top-right corner, the ball clipping the underside of the bar on the way in.
During the celebrations, Senegalese players had items thrown at them, with goalkeeper Mendy evading the challenge of a fan who stormed the pitch before security intervened.
Morocco weren’t without their own chances, though.
Substitute Youssef En-Nesyri headed wide with 15 minutes remaining, while Nayef Aguerd’s headed effort reverberated off the crossbar.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Premier League news: Oliver Glasner to leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season
Criticism and wider implications
The Atlas Lions became the fourth host nation to lose an AFCON final.
Former Nigeria forward Efan Ekoku criticised Senegal’s reaction to the penalty, insisting their actions were “not a good look for African football”.
“It [the penalty] was soft,” Ekoku added.
“It was foolish and reckless by El Hadji Malick Diouf, but the decision has been made and the players have to abide by that.”
Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON winner John Obi Mikel, meanwhile, claimed that players walking off the field is “not what I want to see”, although he could “understand the frustration”.
For Morocco, the manner in which the tournament concluded raises questions over their suitability as a host and the environment awaiting visiting teams, especially with the 2030 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, which they will co-host with Portugal and Spain.
In the end, despite praise of the tournament from key figures such as Mohamed Salah, players and supporters may be wary of the atmosphere they could encounter in future.
READ NEXT: Australian Open 2026 preview: What to expect at the 114th edition
Lucia Caporalini 
Rachel Walker 
Joseph Terry