Senegal are champions of Africa once again after a tense and dramatic 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, sealed by an extra-time winner that broke the hearts of the home crowd.
In a final played under relentless rain and mounting pressure, Pape Gueye emerged as the unlikely hero. Early in extra time, the midfielder burst into the Moroccan penalty area and fired a left-footed strike past Yassine Bounou, a goal that ultimately decided the contest and crowned Senegal continental champions for the second time.
The final had been finely balanced throughout 90 minutes, with both sides cancelling each other out in a tactical battle. Morocco thought they had their golden moment late in regulation time when they were awarded a penalty, sparking furious protests from Senegal’s players, who briefly walked off the pitch before being convinced to return.
When play resumed, Brahim Díaz attempted an audacious panenka from the spot. Édouard Mendy read it perfectly, producing a stunning save that lifted Senegal and stunned the stadium into silence. That moment proved pivotal, forcing the match into extra time and shifting the momentum decisively.
Senegal showed remarkable composure and resilience in the additional 30 minutes. Despite the heavy conditions and relentless Moroccan pressure, they stayed compact, disciplined and patient. Gueye’s breakthrough finally rewarded their perseverance, sending the Teranga Lions’ bench into wild celebration.
At the final whistle, Senegal’s players sprinted across the soaked pitch in joy, having once again conquered Africa. It marks their second AFCON title, following their 2022 triumph, and confirms their status as one of the continent’s dominant forces, winning two of the last three tournaments.
Head coach Pape Thiaw praised his team’s mental strength after the match. He admitted emotions had run high during the penalty incident but emphasised the character shown by his players to refocus and finish the job.
Sadio Mané, who led by example throughout the tournament, described the final as a moment where there was “no tomorrow”, admitting he gave everything as if it could be his last appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
For Morocco, the pain was familiar. The hosts once again fell short of ending their long wait for continental glory, with their AFCON drought stretching back to 1976. Head coach Walid Regragui refused to be drawn on his future, insisting the final was decided by fine margins and lamenting the missed penalty that turned the tide.
As the Rabat crowd slowly drifted away, Senegal stood tall under the floodlights and rain, celebrating a hard-earned triumph built on grit, belief, and decisive moments. Africa has its champions again, and the Teranga Lions are roaring louder than ever.
