Senegal have been crowned Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions for the second time, after a wonder strike by Pape Gueye in the first half of extra time gave the Lions of Teranga a dramatic 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in a pulsating final in Rabat on Sunday.
In front of a passionate home crowd, the Lions of Teranga defied relentless Moroccan pressure before delivering the decisive blow that settled a final on a night of drama and chaos following controversial refereeing at the death.
Chaotic scenes at the end of normal time saw Senegal players walk off the pitch and temporarily refuse to play after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.
This came after referee Jean Jacques Ndala gave a controversial spot-kick in the 98th minute after he was advised by the video assistant referee (VAR) to consult the pitchside monitor and review defender El Hadji Malick Diouf’s soft challenge on Brahim Diaz in Senegal’s eighteen-yard box.
The controversial call incensed Senegal’s head coach Pape Thiaw further following the referee’s decision a few minutes earlier to disallow a well-taken Senegal goal in the 92nd minute.
Thiaw led his team off the field in protest until former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane, who stayed back, tried to encourage his Senegal team-mates to complete the match.
The players later returned to the field after about 16 minutes of delay and the match resumed.
Diaz, top scorer of the tournament wih five goals, missed the controversial penalty for Morocco. His lame ‘Panenka’ attempt was easily saved by by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. It was the final kick as the referee immediately blew his whistle for full-time.
In the fourth minute of extra time, Pape Gueye scored the winning goal to seal a second triumph in five years for the Lions. The Lions of Teranga first won the title at AFCON 2021, defeating Egypt via penalties.
Mane was named AFCON Player of the Tournament. It capped a memorable victory for Senegal in a golden era at the summit of African football.
Thiaw also led the Senegal football team to their maiden African Nations Championships (CHAN) title at the 2022 edition in Algeria, where they also defeated the hosts.
