Senegal Wins Africa Cup of Nations After Penalty Drama

Senegal secured their second Africa Cup of Nations title after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Morocco, a match marked by controversy and a last-gasp penalty miss. The game included Senegal players briefly leaving the pitch in protest and Brahim Diaz failing to convert a crucial penalty in normal time.

Protests and Penalty Drama

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw led his players off the field following a disputed penalty awarded to Morocco in the 98th minute. This decision came after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala had earlier disallowed an Ismaila Sarr header. Chaos ensued at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat as Senegal initially refused to continue the match. With the clock still running, and after encouragement from Sadio Mane, the Senegal players returned to the field. Diaz, the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals, then weakly attempted a Panenka penalty, which was saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, denying Morocco their first continental title in 50 years.

Gueye’s Stunner and Mane’s Recognition

The match went into extra time, and Senegal, fueled by a sense of injustice, took the lead when Pape Gueye surged forward and blasted a left-foot piledriver past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Kalidou Koulibaly, who was suspended for the final, celebrated with his team and was presented with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, which he then handed to Mane, who fittingly lifted the trophy.

How the dramatic finale played out…

Substitute Sarr initially thought he had won the game for Senegal in stoppage time, but his header was ruled out for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi. The drama continued into the final minutes of added time when, after reviewing Malick Diouf’s challenge on Diaz, the referee awarded a penalty to Morocco, prompting a furious Thiaw to send most of his players to the dressing room. Senegal eventually returned, and after Diaz’s missed penalty, Gueye scored four minutes into added time. Bounou then denied Cherif Ndiaye a second goal with a stunning double save.

Mane the peacemaker – ‘Walk off not a good look’

When his team-mates returned to the dressing room, Sadio Mane was the player who stayed out, encouraging them to return to the pitch. Former Nigeria captain John Obi Mike said Mane was the man to bring them back on. Former Wimbledon forward Efan Ekoku commented that the walk off was not a good look, stating that the players should have abided by the referee’s decision.

Diaz’s ‘nightmare’ moment

While it was a moment of triumph for Senegal, it was a moment of despair for Morocco and particularly for Brahim Diaz. Despite being the tournament’s top scorer, his AFCON will now be remembered for his missed penalty. Former Nigeria captain John Obi Mike said Diaz would be devastated and that the moment would haunt him for weeks and months.

‘My soul aches’ – Diaz apologises for penalty miss

Diaz has apologized for his penalty miss, stating his “soul aches” and he will work tirelessly to repair the relationship with Moroccan supporters. He wrote on his X account that he dreamed of the title and that he failed, taking full responsibility and apologizing from the bottom of his heart. He vowed to keep going to repay the love and be a source of pride for the Moroccan people.