Senegal stun hosts Morocco to win AFCON title

Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations after scoring a goal in the extra-time winner that sank hosts Morocco 1-0, ending a tense finale for the eventual champions.

Brahim Diaz had a chance to win the trophy for Morocco on Sunday when he scored a controversial penalty in the 24th minute of added time at the end of regular time.

Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who was unmoved by the lengthy delay that followed the spot-kick award, comfortably saved the weak attempt by the Real Madrid winger.

The match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium ended in extra time, and Gueye’s brilliant 94th-minute strike won Senegal.

Following a VAR review of a challenge on Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf, the contentious penalty had been delivered by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala at the very end of the allotted eight minutes of stoppage time.

The Moroccan players vehemently requested that the referee review the replays, but Senegal and its supporters reacted with fury when the penalty was awarded.

Senegal was already upset by the referee’s earlier decision to forbid Ismaila Sarr’s goal for a foul in the second minute of added time.

In the fourth minute of extra time, Senegal was clearly struck by Diaz’s penalty, which was missed.

After winning the trophy for the first time against Egypt on penalties in Yaounde in 2022, Senegal won the tournament’s second consecutive AFCON title.

After declaring this to be his final game at the tournament, they can now turn their attention to the World Cup and will hope to persuade star man Mane to play in another AFCON.