AFCON 2025: Senegal crowned Africa champions

By Amaechi Agbo

Senegal on Sunday emerged champions of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after they defeated host, Morocco 1-0 in the final played in Rabat.
The triumph is Senegal’s second in three editions haven won the 2021 edition in Cameroon.
Pape Gueye’s stunning goal in extra time was what the Taranga Lions needed to silence the home crowd in a final marred by controversies and walk-out. The final was overshadowed with bad scenes when the Senegaless temporarily refused to play after the hosts were awarded a controversial stoppage time-penalty with the match goalless.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw tried to usher his team off the field in the 98th-minute when the hosts were awarded a spot-kick when defender El Hadji Malick Diouf brought down Brahim Diaz.
The Real Madrid forward stepped up to take the penalty when the players returned to the field, but had his attempted Panenka penalty saved by Mendy
Thiaw, 44, was irritated with referee Jean Jacques Ndala – who awarded the penalty after reviewing the incident on the VAR monitor – for ruling out a goal for his side moments earlier.
Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr had bundled home from close-range, but his effort was chalked off after a foul from Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi.
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy went to the dressing room, but returned to the field with Sadio Mane trying to encourage his players to finish the game.
Ndala blew the full-time whistle immediately after and Senegal opened the scoring through Pape Gueye four minutes into extra time.
Morocco’s 50 years wait continue
Morocco, 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, had the best chance in their tournament to break their long wait to lift the AFCON trophy yet again. Having won the first and only title in 1976, the Atlas Lions bulldozed their way into the final with tactical football display.
Ibrahim Diaz penalty miss, and Gueye’s goal has ensured that the wait continues.