Senegal Secures AFCON Title Amidst Final Controversy

Chaos and Glory: Senegal Secures AFCON Title Amidst Final Controversy

​Senegal has reclaimed their throne as the kings of African football, securing their second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title after a dramatic victory over Morocco. However, the triumph was nearly eclipsed by unprecedented scenes of protest and a temporary refusal to play that left spectators and officials in disbelief.

​A Match Defined by Tension

​The final remained a scoreless deadlock well into stoppage time, with both heavyweights neutralizing each other’s offensive threats. The atmosphere shifted from competitive to chaotic in the 98th minute. Following a VAR intervention, referee Jean Jacques Ndala was advised to review a challenge by Senegalese defender El Hadji Malick Diouf on Morocco’s star playmaker, Brahim Diaz.

​When Ndala pointed to the penalty spot, the Senegalese bench erupted. Head coach Pape Thiaw, already frustrated by a previously disallowed goal, took the drastic step of ushering his squad off the pitch in protest.

​The Seventeen-Minute Standstill

​The game hung in the balance for nearly 20 minutes as officials and veterans attempted to restore order. While the coaching staff remained incensed, former Liverpool icon Sadio Mane took on a leadership role, staying on the field and urging his teammates to return to finish the contest.

​Eventually, the “Lions of Teranga” returned to the pitch to face the consequences of the referee’s decision. Brahim Diaz, the tournament’s leading goalscorer, stepped up for the high-stakes penalty. In a surprising turn of events, Diaz attempted a cheeky “Panenka” chip that lacked power and precision. Senegal’s veteran keeper, Edouard Mendy, stood his ground and easily caught the ball, sending the match into extra time.

​Redemption in Extra Time

​The momentum shifted entirely after the penalty miss. In the fourth minute of the extra period, Villarreal’s Pape Gueye found the back of the net, scoring the decisive goal that would seal the championship.

​Despite the celebration, the fallout from the mid-game walkout remained a focal point. Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, did not hold back in his post-match assessment, labeling the disruption “shameful” and suggesting such antics do not bring honor to the continent’s premier footballing event.

​While Senegal lifts the trophy for the second time in five years, the “chaos in the final” will likely remain a topic of debate for years to come.