Senegal Shock Hosts Morocco for AFCON Victory Amid Disturbing Incidents in Final
Senegal surprised Morocco during the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday with Pape Gueyes goal securing a 1-0 victory in extra time against the hosts in a game overshadowed by shameful events after a disputed penalty decision.
Brahim Diaz had the chance to secure the trophy for Morocco as he prepared to take the penalty in the 24th minute of added time at the close of regular play.
However, Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy comfortably stopped the feeble chip effort from the Real Madrid player, who seemed thrown off by the nearly 20-minute pause that came after the penalty was awarded.
Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from Congo awarded the spot-kick just as the eight minutes of added time were ending, following a VAR review of a foul on Diaz inside the penalty area by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Diaz along with his Moroccan teammates and the bench staff strongly objected to the referee urging a review of the footage, yet the final call to award the penalty sparked outrage from Senegal and their supporters.
With many of their players leaving the field, a portion of Senegal fans in the limited away section at the far end of the ground hurled chairs and various items while trying to invade the pitch.
Security forces and stewards formed a solid line to hold them back, and their frustration soon shifted to joy and astonishment when the penalty was stopped.
The Senegal squad had earlier been upset by the referees ruling to nullify a goal they netted in the second minute of stoppage time, when Abdoulaye Seck nodded the ball onto the post from a corner and Ismaila Sarr headed in the follow-up, but it was chalked off for a foul.
Following Diazs missed penalty, it seemed certain that an energised Senegal would find a way to score, which they did in the fourth minute of extra time, leaving the home crowd of 66,526 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in shock.
Gueye Emerges as Hero
Sadio Mane gained control in the middle of the park and passed to Idrissa Gana Gueye, who then set up his fellow Pape Gueye.
The Villarreal player shrugged off the retreating Moroccan skipper Achraf Hakimi as he moved forward into the area before firing an excellent shot into the upper corner past keeper Yassine Bounou.
Morocco were devastated, especially Diaz who was soon taken off.
They nearly forced a shoot-out when Nayef Aguerd struck the bar with a header during the latter part of extra time.
Yet it was not meant for the hosts, who had hoped to claim the title before their own supporters and end a 50-year drought for a second African championship.
Senegal might have eased their win had Cherif Ndiaye not wasted a clear opportunity to extend the lead to 2-0 towards the end of extra time, but they managed to see it out.
This marks their second Nations Cup success in the past three tournaments, following their penalty shoot-out win over Egypt in Yaounde in 2022 for their inaugural triumph.
Now they turn their attention to the World Cup in the United States come June, and they will aim to convince key player Mane to feature in another AFCON after he stated the final would be his final match in the competition.
Any probe into the regrettable events will examine the behaviour of the Senegal side and their followers, as well as any lapses by the Moroccan event management.
These moments occurred at the conclusion of a tightly contested final with few clear scoring opportunities, which is hardly unexpected considering the solid defences of Africas top sides per FIFA rankings.
Senegals Iliman Ndiaye was thwarted by Bounou after breaking clear for the most promising moment in the opening half, while Morocco missed a good chance shortly before the hour when Ayoub El Kaabi poked the ball astray from a Bilal El Khannouss delivery.
The late excitement followed, with Senegal enduring the penalty before Gueye stepped up as their saviour. Notably, this was the first goal by the Lions of Teranga in an AFCON final, having previously failed to score in their three prior deciders.
It proved a heartbreaking finish to Moroccos run, and numerous supporters had departed the venue before the end on a chilly, rainy evening in Rabat.