Senegal were crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic and deeply controversial final against hosts Morocco, a match defined by disputed officiating, furious protests, and a decisive extra-time strike that settled the contest.
Played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the final unfolded amid extraordinary tension, with the Teranga Lions ultimately emerging victorious in one of the most chaotic AFCON finals in history.
A Final Fraught With Tension
The match developed as a tight, tactical battle, with Morocco dominating possession for long spells while Senegal relied on physical strength, discipline, and quick counterattacks. Clear-cut chances were scarce as both teams approached the contest cautiously, aware that one mistake could decide the title.
As the game edged toward its conclusion, emotions intensified and controversy followed.
Disallowed Goal and Controversial Penalty
In the 90+2 minute, Senegal believed they had taken the lead, only for the referee to rule the goal offside, a decision that sparked immediate protests from the Senegalese players and technical bench.
Six minutes later, the situation escalated further. In the 90+8 minute, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty for a challenge on Brahim Díaz, a decision Senegal strongly disputed, arguing that the contact was minimal and not worthy of such a critical call in a final.
An enraged Pape Thiaw, Senegal’s head coach, instructed his players to **leave the pitch in protest**, with several players complying as chaos engulfed the stadium and play was suspended for several minutes.
Mané Restores Order — Mendy Saves the Day
Amid the confusion, Sadio Mané intervened, urging his teammates to return to the field and complete the match.
When play resumed, Edouard Mendy stood firm in goal. Brahim Díaz stepped up and attempted a Panenka-style penalty, but Mendy stayed composed and saved the spot kick, preserving parity and reigniting Senegal’s belief.
Senegal Strike in Extra Time
Galvanised by the penalty save, Senegal carried renewed momentum into extra time. That belief was rewarded in the 94th minute, when Pape Gueye delivered the decisive moment of the final.
The midfielder collected the ball outside the penalty area and lashed a stunning 20-yard strike beyond the Moroccan goalkeeper, silencing the home crowd and giving Senegal a 1–0 lead — a goal that ultimately proved to be the winner.
Victory Sealed Amid Emotion
Senegal defended resolutely for the remainder of extra time, holding off Morocco’s late pressure to secure a historic triumph.
After the match, Idrissa Gana Gueye, who was outstanding throughout, revealed how close Senegal came to abandoning the game entirely.
“We wanted to stop the game because what happened was not possible for us,” Gueye said.
“Allah gave us this victory because Allah is not sleeping and Allah sees everything.”
Champions the Hard Way
For Morocco, the defeat was agonising, particularly after missing a late chance to take control of the final. For Senegal, the victory was a powerful statement of resilience, unity, and mental strength.
They did not merely win a football match — they survived controversy, overcame chaos, and delivered under the heaviest pressure.
Senegal leave Morocco as AFCON 2025 champions, their second AFCON titles secured by Edouard Mendy’s decisive penalty save and Pape Gueye’s thunderbolt in extra time, in a final that will be remembered for generations.