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Senegal secures Afcon victory after dramatic final delay
Senegal claimed their second Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday, defeating Morocco 2-1 in extra time, but the match was marred by a 17-minute halt after Senegal's players briefly walked off the field in protest of a stoppage-time penalty awarded to the hosts.
Controversial penalty sparks chaos
With the score tied 0-0 in the 98th minute, referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review of defender El Hadji Malick Diouf's challenge on Brahim Diaz. The decision infuriated Senegal's coaching staff, who had already disputed an earlier disallowed goal by Ismaila Sarr for a foul on Achraf Hakimi.
Head coach Pape Thiaw led his team off the pitch in protest, while star striker Sadio Mane remained on the field, urging his teammates to return. After a tense 17-minute delay, the players resumed play, only for Morocco's Diaz-tournament top scorer with five goals-to miss a Panenka-style penalty, which Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy saved with ease.
Extra time heroics seal Senegal's triumph
Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the fourth minute of extra time, securing Senegal's second Afcon title in five years. The victory was overshadowed, however, by the pre-penalty chaos, which drew sharp criticism from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
"It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport," Infantino wrote on Instagram. "The decisions taken by the match officials must always be respected."
Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
Reactions and fallout
Morocco coach Walid Regragui condemned Senegal's actions as "shameful," while Thiaw later apologized, acknowledging his emotional reaction. "We accept the referee's errors," he told BeIN Sport. "We shouldn't have done it, but it's done."
Mane, who played a pivotal role in calming his teammates, emphasized the importance of setting a positive example. "Football should not stop for 10 minutes," he said. "We came back and won the game-that's what matters."
Tournament overshadowed by refereeing disputes
The final's chaotic end capped a tournament already dogged by refereeing controversies, with accusations that Morocco benefited from favorable decisions. Senegal had also raised concerns about security and logistics ahead of the match, including a lack of training facilities and limited fan tickets.
Despite Morocco's praised organization, the final's ugly scenes-including fan clashes and a press room altercation-dominated headlines, overshadowing the hosts' efforts to showcase African football ahead of their 2030 World Cup co-hosting role.
