Senegal were crowned champions of Africa for the second time in their history after edging hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time in one of the most controversial and chaotic finals ever witnessed at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025).
Played under the floodlights of the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, the AFCON 2025 final was defined not only by Pape Gueye’s thunderous extra-time winner, but by stoppage-time VAR drama, players walking off the pitch, fan invasions, clashes on and off the field, and bitter post-match fallout.
What should have been a celebration of African football descended into scenes that prompted serious questions about officiating, crowd control and sportsmanship at the continent’s showpiece event.
AFCON 2025: A Final That Refused to End Quietly
After 90 minutes of intense but goalless football, the match appeared destined for extra time, but the closing moments of regulation time exploded into chaos.
In the sixth minute of stoppage time, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review for a foul by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Díaz.
The decision sparked fury among Senegal players and officials, who felt they had been denied a similar VAR review moments earlier at the other end.
As Moroccan fans celebrated and whistled, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch, triggering wild scenes inside the stadium.
Players from both teams argued fiercely, technical staff clashed, and Senegal supporters attempted to storm the field.
Riot police and stewards were forced to intervene as projectiles were thrown, electronic advertising boards were dismantled, and one steward was stretchered off with an upper-body injury.
Play was delayed for more than 14 minutes, raising fears of a potential abandonment, a scenario never before seen in a major AFCON final.
Sadio Mané the Peacemaker as Senegal Return
With tensions spiralling, Senegal talisman Sadio Mané went into the dressing room to calm his teammates and urge them to return to the pitch.
“Sadio told us to come back on the pitch, to remobilise us,” match-winner Pape Gueye later revealed.
Eventually, Senegal resumed play, though tempers continued to flare. Édouard Mendy was booked for appearing to scuff the penalty spot, while further scuffles broke out between Abdoulaye Seck and Ismael Saibari.
Mendy Denies Morocco as Díaz Crumbles
After an agonising delay, Brahim Díaz finally stepped up to take the penalty, more than 10 minutes after it had been awarded.
The Real Madrid forward, who had passionately appealed for the decision, appeared visibly unsettled.
His attempted panenka lacked conviction and was comfortably gathered by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
The save stunned the stadium and pushed the final into extra time.
Gueye’s Thunderbolt Silences Rabat
Just three minutes into extra time, Senegal struck.
A turnover in midfield saw Sadio Mané back-heel intelligently into the path of Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released Pape Gueye.
From the edge of the area, the midfielder unleashed a ferocious left-footed strike beyond Yassine Bounou, silencing the Moroccan crowd and sending the Senegal bench into raptures.
Senegal defended resolutely for the remainder of extra time. Morocco pushed desperately for an equaliser, with Díaz and Youssef En-Nesyri going close, but Mendy stood firm to seal a famous victory.
Senegal 1–0 Morocco (AET)
Pape Gueye 93’
“A Shameful Match for Africa” – Regragui Explodes
After the final whistle, Morocco head coach, Walid Regragui did not hide his anger, directing his criticism squarely at Thiaw’s decision to withdraw his players and the prolonged stoppage before the penalty.
“I think a lot of time passed before [Brahim] was able to take the penalty, and this put him off,” Regragui said.
“The match we had was shameful for Africa.”
“When a head coach asks his players to leave the pitch, when he’s saying things that already started in the press conference… he needs to stay class, in victory as well as in defeat.”
“What Pape [Thiaw] did tonight doesn’t honour Africa. He’s an African champion now, so he can say what he wants, but they stopped the match for over ten minutes.”
“That doesn’t excuse Brahim for the way he hit [the penalty], he hit it like that and we have to own it.”
“We need to look forward now, and accept that Brahim missed it.”
Regragui also defended his player, insisting the delay played a decisive role in the miss.
Senegal Cry Injustice but Stand Tall
From Senegal’s perspective, the stoppage-time chaos was the culmination of mounting frustration throughout the tournament.
“What we felt was injustice,” Pape Gueye told ESPN.
“There had been a foul against us before and the ref chose not to look at VAR, we were frustrated.”
Senegal officials had already raised concerns before the final, releasing a statement complaining about accommodation, logistics, training facilities and ticketing, calling on CAF to ensure impartiality.
During the match, Senegal staff were forced to repeatedly retrieve Édouard Mendy’s towel after Moroccan ball attendants and even Achraf Hakimi appeared to interfere during stoppages.
While Thiaw’s decision to pull his players off the pitch remains controversial, Senegal sources insist it was driven by both security concerns and accumulated grievances.
AFCON 2025: Champions Amid the Chaos
Lost somewhat amid the turmoil was Senegal’s achievement.
This victory secured their second AFCON title, following their 2021 triumph, and their second crown in the last three tournaments, confirming their status as one of Africa’s dominant footballing nations.
Pape Gueye was named TotalEnergies Man of the Match and spoke with pride after the final whistle.
“I am very happy to win the final; it was a complicated match. After Morocco missed the penalty, we stayed focused, played our game, and showed Senegalese football.”
“Then we scored a goal that allowed us to win the match. Scoring in a final is a moment of pride for me.”
“I am very happy to score in the final, and most importantly, the Senegal national team now has a second star.”
An AFCON Final That Will Divide Opinion
Ultimately, Senegal lifted the trophy through football, not penalties, thanks to Gueye’s extra-time brilliance. Yet the night will be remembered as much for controversy as for quality.
Questions now loom over potential CAF sanctions, refereeing consistency, and whether teams threatening to abandon matches sets a dangerous precedent for African football.
