Senegal Crowned AFCON 2025 Champions After Dramatic and Controversial Final


Senegal emerged as champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, securing their second continental title in dramatic fashion with a 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in a final that will be remembered for both its football and its controversy. 

The decisive moment came in extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where Pape Gueye’s spectacular strike in the 94th minute broke the deadlock and sent the Lions of Teranga into wild celebration. This goal was particularly notable as Senegal’s first-ever goal scored in an AFCON final. 

However, the match was overshadowed by a series of contentious events in stoppage time. A late VAR-awarded penalty to Morocco sparked furious protests from Senegal’s players and coaching staff, culminating in a brief walk-off from the pitch in protest of the decision. After a 14-minute-delay and intervention from senior figures including Sadio Mané, Senegal returned to complete the game. 

Morocco’s star forward Brahim Díaz, who finished the tournament as the top scorer, had a golden chance to win the title for the hosts with the penalty but saw his Panenka attempt comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy — a miss that proved decisive. 

Penalty Incident and Protest

The late penalty decision — awarded after a VAR review — ignited frustration among the Senegal squad and coaching staff. In a rare show of dissent, coach Pape Bouna Thiaw instructed his side to leave the field, a move that drew condemnation from FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and put Senegal at risk of disciplinary sanctions. 

Reactions from Players

Following the match, Brahim Díaz issued an emotional statement of apology to Moroccan fans for his missed penalty, describing the moment as deeply painful but reaffirming his commitment to his adopted national team. 

National Response

Despite the tension and controversy, Senegal returned home to a hero’s welcome in Dakar, where President Bassirou Diomaye Faye lauded the team’s achievement and resilience.

The 2025 AFCON — hosted by Morocco — featured compelling performances across the continent and produced several standout individual achievements: 

Player of the Tournament (Golden Ball): Sadio Mané (Senegal) — a key leader and spark throughout the competition. 

Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Brahim Díaz (Morocco) — five goals, making history as the first to score in five consecutive matches in a single AFCON. 

Best Goalkeeper (Golden Glove): Yassine Bounou (Morocco) — outstanding between the posts. 

Fair Play Award: Morocco — recognized for sportsmanship over the course of the tournament. 

In the third-place playoff, Nigeria secured bronze by defeating Egypt in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw in regulation time. 

Senegal’s victory reinforces their status as a powerhouse in African football, capturing their second AFCON title in just three editions. Both Senegal and Morocco have seen significant boosts in the latest FIFA World Rankings, with Senegal rising to their highest ever at 12th in the world and Morocco reaching 8th place — a historic high for an African nation. 

However, the final’s contentious scenes have prompted CAF to launch a disciplinary review, with potential sanctions looming over Senegal’s staff and players for the protest walk-off — an incident that could have implications ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be remembered not only for Senegal’s triumphant campaign and Pape Gueye’s match-winning moment but also for the heated debates it sparked about officiating, fair play, and the spirit of competition. As African football now shifts focus toward global competitions like the World Cup, the lessons from this unforgettable AFCON edition are expected to resonate across the sport

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