from MOHAMED EL KADIRI in Rabat, Morocco
Morocco Bureau
RABAT, (CAJ News) – IN a pulsating climax to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Senegal stunned hosts Morocco 1-0 in extra time to lift the coveted continental trophy in front of a packed crowd of 69,000 passionate fans.
The Teranga Lions’ second AFCON triumph — their first since 2021 — came after a thrilling, razor-tight finale that ebbed and flowed with drama, controversy and edge-of-the-seat moments.
From the first whistle, both sides showed intent. Senegal enjoyed early chances through Pape Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, forcing Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into timely saves.
Morocco, buoyed by fierce home support, responded in waves, controlling possession in spells and probing through the creative feet of Brahim Díaz and the dynamism of Achraf Hakimi.
With regulation time drawing to a close and the score still goalless, emotional tension reached fever pitch.
Senegal thought they had taken the lead in the 92nd minute, only for the goal to be controversially disallowed for a foul in the build-up — a decision that sparked outrage among the travelling Teranga supporters.
In the dying moments of added time, VAR intervention awarded Morocco a penalty after a challenge by Senegal’s El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Díaz.
The decision provoked a stunning reaction: Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest, led by coach Pape Bouna Thiaw, in disbelief at the call.
Only after impassioned pleas from veteran midfielder Sadio Mané did the team return — a moment that underlined the emotional stakes of the final.
When play resumed, Díaz stepped up for Morocco. With the weight of a nation on his shoulders, the Real Madrid star attempted a cheeky Panenka — but Senegal keeper Édouard Mendy stood firm, diving low to his left to make a crucial save that kept the score level and sent the match into extra time.
Just minutes into extra time, Senegal seized their moment. A swift counter-attack saw Idrissa Gueye release Pape Gueye, who surged forward and unleashed a thunderous shot from the edge of the box that cannoned into the top right corner past a helpless Bounou.
The stadium exploded — but this time in stunned silence among the Moroccan faithful.
Morocco pressed for a response, with Nayef Aguerd’s powerful header rattling the crossbar, but Senegal’s defence and Mendy held firm to deny the hosts an equaliser.
Gueye’s extra-time strike proved decisive, and he was deservedly named*Man of the Match for a performance that combined grit, vision and clinical execution.
In the end, Senegal’s resilience under pressure, their ability to absorb waves of Moroccan attacks and the timely heroics of Mendy and Gueye secured a memorable victory, adding another glorious chapter to their growing legacy in African football.
– CAJ News