Senegal Snatches AFCON Title in Rabat Thriller; Morocco Files Complaint Over
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتسابSenegal has been crowned champion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the second time in history, defeating hosts Morocco 1-0 in a chaotic final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat that extended into extra time.
The match was defined less by tactical play and more by unprecedented tension in its dying moments, as play was halted in the 96th minute when the referee awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review.
The decision prompted the Senegalese players to temporarily walk off the pitch in protest, creating a historic standoff that lasted nearly 17 minutes before captain Sadio Mané persuaded his teammates to return.
Upon resumption, Moroccan midfielder Brahim Diaz missed the critical penalty after a save by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, forcing the match into extra time. In the 94th minute, Senegal’s Pape Gueye struck the winning goal with a powerful shot past Yassine Bounou, securing the title for the "Lions of Teranga."
In the immediate aftermath, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced it is filing a formal complaint with FIFA and CAF regarding the walk-off incident, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the scenes as "unacceptable," signaling potential disciplinary actions
