Dare Babalola
Senegal on Sunday night defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat.
Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute of extra time, firing a powerful shot from outside the box into the top corner to hand Senegal the title at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Earlier, the Teranga Lions delivered an unprecedented protest in an AFCON final, refusing to play for over ten minutes.
Yassine Bounou produced an excellent save to deny Iliman Ndiaye in the first half while Ayoub El Kaabi flashed his shot wide while through on goal, as extra-time loomed.
However, there was drama in added time when Senegal had Ismaila Sarr’s goal chalked off for a foul in the buildup, before a penalty was awarded to Morocco for a pull on Brahim Diaz following a corner kick.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw called his players off the pitch in a protest that lasted over 15 minutes, but the players returned following Sadio Mane’s intervention.
Diaz saw his panenka penalty saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to force extra-time where Gueye’s rocket from outside the area found the far corner for the winning goal.
Senegal saw off the remaining minutes to claim their second AFCON title, also ending Morocco’s undefeated home record that has stood since 2009.
