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The Senegalese national team was crowned champion of the Africa Cup of Nations after defeating host nation Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a controversial final held on Sunday evening, which witnessed unprecedented events.
The winning goal came from midfielder Pape Gueye in the 94th minute, after Moroccan star Ibrahim Diaz missed a crucial penalty in stoppage time of the second half, following a 14-minute stoppage due to protests by Senegalese players and their temporary withdrawal from the pitch.
Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded the penalty after consulting Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, following a foul by Senegalese full-back Hajj Malick Diouf on Diaz while taking a corner kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time. This sparked chaos inside the stadium, with altercations between players and officials.
Senegal’s coach, Pape Bouba Thiaw, ordered his players to leave the pitch in protest of the decision, before star player Sadio Mané succeeded in convincing them to return and complete the match.
Following the resumption of play, Diaz took the penalty with a ‘Panenka’ chip, but the shot was weak and was easily caught by Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, squandering Morocco’s chance to clinch the title in regular time.
In extra time, the Senegalese team capitalized on Morocco’s push forward and scored the winning goal through a powerful strike by Pape Gueye that left goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with no chance.
The match was open and end-to-end with chances for both sides, during which goalkeepers Mendy and Bounou excelled, amid great pressure from a crowd of 66,526 spectators. A goal for Senegal was also disallowed in stoppage time due to a foul in the build-up.
With this victory, the Senegalese national team secured its second title in the last three editions, handing Morocco, the world’s top-ranked team, its first defeat after a run of 27 international matches without loss, and continuing the “Atlas Lions'” continental tournament curse, which they have not won for 50 years.
