enegal stunned hosts Morocco in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final, as Pape Gueye’s strike secured a 1–0 extra-time victory at the end of a match marred by disgraceful scenes following a controversial late penalty award.

Morocco had a golden chance to win the trophy deep into stoppage time when Brahim Diaz stepped up to take a spot-kick in the 24th added minute at the end of normal time. However, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the Real Madrid winger’s weak chipped effort, with Diaz appearing clearly unsettled by a lengthy delay of almost 20 minutes after the penalty was awarded.

Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala gave the spot-kick at the end of the allotted eight minutes of added time following a VAR review for a challenge on Diaz in the box by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf. Diaz, his team-mates, and the Moroccan bench vehemently urged the referee to review the footage, while the eventual decision to award the penalty provoked fury among Senegal’s players and supporters.

As several Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest, some supporters in the small section of away fans at the opposite end of the stadium threw chairs and other objects and attempted to gain access to the field of play. They were eventually restrained by a large contingent of police and stewards, and their anger turned to delight and disbelief when Mendy saved the penalty.

Senegal had already been incensed by the referee’s decision to disallow a goal they believed should have stood in the second added minute, when Abdoulaye Seck headed against the post from a corner and Ismaila Sarr nodded in the rebound, only for a foul to be given.

After Diaz’s miss, it felt almost inevitable that a galvanised Senegal side would go on to score, and they duly did so in the fourth minute of extra time, silencing the home fans among the crowd of 66,526 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Sadio Mane won possession in midfield and found Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released his namesake, Pape Gueye. The Villarreal midfielder held off the retreating Moroccan captain, Achraf Hakimi, before advancing towards the box and beating goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with a superb strike into the top corner.

Morocco were distraught, particularly Diaz, who was promptly substituted. The hosts could still have forced a penalty shoot-out, but Nayef Aguerd headed against the crossbar in the second half of extra time.

It was not to be for Morocco, who had dreamed of lifting the title in front of their own supporters to end a 50-year wait and become African champions for only the second time. Senegal could have made the contest more comfortable late in extra time, but Cherif Ndiaye squandered a glorious chance to double the lead, and they were forced to hold on.

The victory secured Senegal’s second Cup of Nations title in the last three editions, following their penalty shoot-out triumph over Egypt in Yaounde in 2022, which delivered the trophy for the first time in the country’s history.

The Lions of Teranga will now turn their attention to the World Cup in the United States in June, while hoping to persuade star forward Mane to feature at another AFCON, after he declared that the final would be his last appearance at the tournament.

Any investigation into the disgraceful scenes during the match is expected to examine the conduct of the Senegal team and their supporters, as well as any shortcomings in crowd control by the Moroccan organisers.

The incidents capped a tense final that was low on clear-cut chances, a reflection of the defensive strength of Africa’s highest-ranked teams according to FIFA. Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye was denied by Bounou when clean through in the first half, while Morocco should have scored shortly before the hour mark, but Ayoub El Kaabi prodded wide from a Bilal El Khannouss cross.

The late drama ultimately defined the contest, with Senegal surviving the penalty award before Gueye emerged as the hero. Remarkably, it was the first goal scored by the Lions of Teranga in an AFCON final, after failing to find the net in any of their three previous appearances in the tournament’s deciding match.

For Morocco, it was an agonising end to an otherwise impressive campaign, with many supporters leaving the stadium before the final whistle on a cold and wet night in Rabat.