Senegal have been crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a tense and controversial final against host nation Morocco in Rabat.

The match, played on a cold and rainy night, was marred by drama late in regulation time. Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a disputed penalty in the 90+8 minute following a VAR review, just minutes after Senegal had a goal ruled out in the 90+2 minute. The decision triggered protests from the Senegal team, who briefly walked off the pitch on the instructions of head coach Pape Thiaw, causing an almost 20-minute delay. It took captain Sadio Mané to rally his teammates and lead them back onto the field.

Normal time ended dramatically when Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy saved what appeared to be a Panenka-style penalty from Real Madrid winger Brahim Díaz with the final kick of the game. Despite later finishing the tournament as Golden Boot winner, Díaz’s miss stunned fans worldwide, including US-based celebrity streamer IShowSpeed, who watched the match live.

Mendy’s save helped calm angry Senegalese supporters, some of whom had earlier thrown objects and attempted to enter the pitch in protest over the penalty decision.

| Paul Ellis/AFP (Pic):

In extra time, Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the first half, handing the Teranga Lions a 1–0 victory at the 66,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The triumph marks Senegal’s second AFCON title in the last three editions, following their maiden victory in 2022, when they defeated Egypt on penalties in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Gueye’s strike was also historic, as it was the first goal Senegal have ever scored in an AFCON final, having failed to find the net in their previous three appearances in the tournament’s deciding match.

Attention now turns to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in June.