The title-deciding match, played under intense tension, was briefly overshadowed by chaos late in regulation time when Senegalese players walked off the field following a controversial refereeing decision.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Senegal emerged as the champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a dramatic and controversy-filled 1–0 victory over hosts Morocco in the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday night, January 18. The title-deciding match, played under intense tension, was briefly overshadowed by chaos late in regulation time when Senegalese players walked off the field following a controversial refereeing decision.
Deep into stoppage time, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty after a VAR review of an incident involving Senegal defender, Moussa Diouf, and Morocco forward, Brahim Díaz. The decision sparked furious protests from Senegal’s players and officials, who surrounded the referee in disbelief. Head coach, Pape Thiaw, was seen calling his players off the pitch as tempers flared and confrontations broke out between both teams. For several minutes, most of the Senegal squad remained on the touchline while Morocco’s players stayed on the field, urging officials to continue.
Order was eventually restored following interventions from CAF officials and senior players, with Senegal captain Sadio Mané playing a key role in convincing his teammates to return to the pitch.
Brahim Díaz was given the responsibility to take the all-important kick that could have potentially given the Atlas Lions their first AFCON title in 50 years, but the tournament’s top scorer surprisingly fluffed the opportunity with an audacious Panenka attempt that Senegal goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, read perfectly.
The decisive moment finally arrived in the 94th minute of extra time when Pape Gueye produced a stunning strike from outside the box, just left of centre, driving the ball fiercely into the top-right corner of the net beyond goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou.
The final whistle confirmed Senegal’s second Africa Cup of Nations title, adding to the crown they won in 2021 and capping their fourth appearance in an AFCON final. For Morocco, the defeat was a bitter end to a tournament in which they had hoped to continue the tradition of host nations lifting the trophy.
Sadio Mané was crowned Best Player of the Tournament, Brahim Díaz received the Puma Golden Boot award, and Yassine Bounou was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament, after recording impressive saves throughout the competition. The Moroccan National Team also received the Fair Play Award. In addition to the glory of victory, The Teranga Lions of Senegal will pocket $10 million, while The Atlas Lions of Morocco will take home $4 million, and the Super Eagles of Nigeria $2.5 million for their third-place finish from CAF.
What was meant to be a celebratory continental showpiece will be remembered as a final defined by controversy, tension, and, ultimately, a moment of pure brilliance from Pape Gueye that crowned Senegal kings of African football once again. It’s Senegal’s second Africa Cup win, with The Teranga Lions having previously won the 2021 edition after a penalty shootout against Egypt, cementing their status as one of the continent’s football powerhouses.