Senegal Defeats Morocco to Win Dramatic AFCON 2025 Final

By Adedapo Adesanya

Senegal beat hosts Morocco in extra time to win the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday in a controversial game that saw the West Africans storm off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them in the last minute of play.

Midfielder Pape Gueye netted the only goal of the game in 94th-minute after Morocco’s player Brahim Diaz squandered the chance to win it for the home side by fluffing the last-gasp penalty in normal time following a 14-minute delay.

The game had evened out until a last minute spot-kick was awarded to the hosts, leading Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw to order his players off.

However, former Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane, persuaded them to return and eventually won the tournament.

The penalty was awarded following a VAR check by Congolese referee, Jean-Jacques Ndala, after Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal full back, El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Despite the walk out, the penalty stood but upon returning to the pitch, Diaz tried a Panenka-style chip and his weak penalty sailed tamely into the arms of Senegal goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.

Gueye’s powerful shot gave Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou no chance, handing Morocco their first defeat in 27 international games.

Morocco will have to wait to win the coveted trophy which it has not won in almost 50 years with the loss to Senegal.

Senegal will add to its last titles won in the 2021 edition.

Before the award presentation, President of the Confederations of African Football (CAF), Mr Patrice Motsepe, presented the host flag to the joint host of the next edition in 2027 slated for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Morocco won the Fair Play Award, Moroccan and Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia Goalkeeper Bounou won the Golden Glove for his exemplary saves and clean sheet records, a sad Diaz won the Golden Boot scoring five goals in the tournament, and an ecstatic Sadio Mane won the Man of the Tournament award.

On Saturday, Nigeria defeated Egypt 4-2 on penalties to win the third-place match after both sides failed to break the deadlock in 90 minutes.