Senegal claimed the Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday as Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal secured a 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in a chaotic and highly charged final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The match, attended by 66,526 fans, was marred by controversy and tension, beginning with a disallowed Senegal goal in the second added minute of regular time. Abdoulaye Seck headed the ball off the post from a corner, and Ismaila Sarr nodded in the rebound, but the referee ruled it out for a foul, sparking anger among the Senegalese players.

Tension peaked in the 24th minute of added time when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty after a VAR review of a challenge by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz. Diaz, representing Real Madrid, attempted a “Panenka” penalty but was easily saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The miss followed a long delay of almost 20 minutes, leaving Diaz visibly unsettled. The decision had initially incited fury from Senegal and their fans, some of whom threw chairs and tried to enter the field before being contained by police and stewards.

With the penalty saved, the match went into extra time, and Gueye struck in the 94th minute to secure Senegal’s triumph, silencing the home crowd and sparking celebrations among the away fans.

This victory marks Senegal’s second AFCON title in three editions, following their penalty shootout win over Egypt in Yaoundé in 2022. The team now shifts focus to the upcoming World Cup, while Senegalese star Sadio Mané, who played his final AFCON game in this match, could potentially retire from future continental tournaments.

For Morocco, the defeat was a bitter disappointment, and many fans left the stadium before the final whistle on a cold and wet night.