Senegal Are African Champions Again.
The Teranga Lions defeated Morocco in Rabat to lift their second AFCON trophy in a match that players almost abandoned and that was riddled with controversy and drama.
In a final that fans will not forget for years to come, Senegal and Morocco started the game with huge intensity. The Senegalese team settled into the final better than their opponents, but they could not find an opening.
The game remained goalless until late on, when all the drama began. Senegal scored from a set-piece, but the referee ruled the goal out for a foul committed on Achraf Hakimi.
Senegal players felt the referee made a soft decision, and that moment set the tone for the rest of the game.
Minutes later, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty after a West Ham defender appeared to foul Brahim Díaz in the box. That decision triggered the Senegalese manager to order his players to leave the pitch. The protest delayed the match for 15 minutes before the players returned.
After play resumed, Brahim Díaz took the penalty, but former Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy saved his Panenka effort.
In the early minutes of extra time, Pape Gueye scored a scorcher to give Senegal the lead in a shocking twist. That goal proved enough for Senegal to win AFCON 2025 in a dramatic end to one of the best AFCON tournaments ever.
