By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Senegal clinched their second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title on Sunday, 18January 2026, after defeating host nation Morocco 1–0 in extra time in a dramatic final played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The Teranga Lions sealed the AFCON 2025 crown following a tense and controversial encounter that saw them briefly walk off the pitch in protest over a late penalty awarded to Morocco during regulation time. The victory, coming after their maiden triumph in 2021, confirmed Senegal’s status among Africa’s elite football nations.
The defining controversy unfolded in the eighth minute of added time when referee Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo of the Democratic Republic of Congo awarded Morocco a penalty after a VAR review. The decision followed a corner-kick incident in which Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf appeared to drag Moroccan attacker Brahim Diaz by the neck.
In response to the ruling, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch, a move that sparked heated exchanges involving the referee and Moroccan players.
Consequently, play was halted for about 13 minutes before Senegal captain Sadio Mané intervened, appealing to his teammates to return so the match could continue.
Subsequently, once play resumed, Diaz stepped up to take the penalty but failed to convert, missing a crucial chance to hand the hosts a late victory. As a result, the score remained level at the end of regulation time, forcing the final into extra time.
In the additional period, Senegal capitalised on the momentum when Pape Gueye scored in the fourth minute of extra time, striking the decisive goal that secured a 1–0 victory for the Teranga Lions and stunned the home supporters.
Ultimately, the dramatic win capped a resilient AFCON 2025 campaign for Senegal, who overcame controversy, pressure and the challenge of the host nation to lift the continental trophy for the second time in their history.
