African football would have been hoping for a thrilling end to a slick and competitive Cup of Nations tournament, but will wake up on Monday with a major headache after the final between Senegal and hosts Morocco descended into farce.

Senegal, who won 1-0 after extra time, staged a walk-out after they had a penalty awarded against them deep in stoppage time at the end of the match.

They were ordered off the field by their coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, with some players going back to the dressing room, and it was only after Sadio Mane cajoled them back that the game continued.

“What did we say to each other? That’s between us. We did it together, and we came back together, that’s all that matters,” said goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, one of those involved in ugly scenes of jostling and arguing between the players.

A 14-minute delay between the awarding of the penalty, after a lengthy VAR review, and the taking of the kick was followed by a tame effort from Morocco’s Brahim Diaz, who had been their star performer as they reached the final for the first time in 22 years.

His Panenka-style chipped effort floated into Mendy’s arms, leaving the game goalless and having to go into extra time.

“He attempted the Panenka, but I stayed on my feet. We kept the team in the game, and I helped my team at that moment,” Mendy added

The penalty was awarded following a VAR check by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala after Brahim Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal full back El Hadji Malick Diouf while defending a corner five minutes into stoppage time.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui said the delay did not help Diaz.

“But that doesn’t excuse Brahim for the way he hit the penalty. He hit it like that and we have to accept it. We were one minute from being African champions. That’s football. It’s often cruel. We missed what for some was the opportunity of a lifetime,” he said.

SUPERB WINNING GOAL

Pape Gueye won the trophy for Senegal with a superb strike four minutes into extra time, handing his country their second trophy in the last three editions and extending Morocco’s poor record in the tournament, which they have won once previously, 50 years ago.

But Senegal’s success will be overshadowed by the controversy of the walk-off, blemishing the image of the African game, which only days earlier had boasted of record worldwide revenue for its showpiece tournaments as interest spread worldwide.

“The image we’ve given of Africa is shameful,” added Regragui.

“A coach who asks his players to leave the field … What Pape did does not honour Africa. He wasn’t classy. But he is a champion, so he can say whatever he wants”

His Senegal counterpart, Thiaw, could face sanctions for his actions.

However, he missed the chance to discuss the controversy when his post-match press conference was called off after he was jeered by Moroccan journalists when he entered the room, while their Senegalese counterparts applauded him.

-Reuters

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Moroccan fans were left crestfallen on Sunday after their team lost the Africa Cup of Nations final 1-0 to Senegal after extra time in a tense encounter at Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Senegal had stormed off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them before returning to beat the hosts amid farcical scenes in the final, where nearly 67,000 home supporters had gathered hoping to see the Atlas Lions lift their first continental trophy since 1976.

Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye netted the 94th-minute winner after Morocco’s star player Brahim Diaz had squandered the chance to win it for the home side by fluffing a last-gasp penalty in normal time following a 14-minute delay.

As the referee blew the final whistle, most Moroccan fans filed out of the stadium without waiting for the trophy ceremony.

“I am so sad, and at the same time proud of our national team,” said supporter Ousama Ouaddich, his voice hoarse after cheering throughout the game.

“All we needed was an Africa Cup of Nations before going to the World Cup in June,” he said.

The defeat prolongs World Cup 2022 semi-finalists Morocco’s long wait for a second continental title despite the team being Africa’s top‑ranked side in FIFA’s standings. “It was a hard and intense game … Morocco did their best under pressure and Senegal was more composed in key moments and prevailed,” said Moroccan fan Imane Lahrich in rainy Rabat.

King Mohammed VI congratulated the Atlas Lions for their “memorable run” in a message after the game and thanked Moroccan fans for their support, while praising the organisation of the tournament.

The country’s infrastructure, the King said, had demonstrated “resilience and world‑class level of readiness ahead of hosting the 2030 World Cup.”

Despite the defeat, it has been a successful period in Morocco’s football history.

The Atlas Lions became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals at Qatar 2022 after eliminating Spain and Portugal en route to the last four.

The country’s U‑20 team won the World Cup in October after beating Argentina, and Morocco also claimed the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Moroccan clubs and national teams across men’s, women’s and youth levels have been among the continent’s strongest performers in recent years.

This year’s Cup of Nations set records for goals scored, stadium attendance and commercial revenue, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

CAF said in its annual report last year that the tournament in Morocco was expected to generate a net profit of $114 million.

-Reuters

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By Kunle Solaja, Rabat

King Mohammed VI has sent a powerful message of congratulations and encouragement to the Moroccan national football team following their runners-up finish at the Africa Cup of Nations, praising their journey, spirit and the pride they brought to the nation despite losing the final.

In his message to the Atlas Lions, His Majesty congratulated the players, coaching staff, and the technical, medical, and administrative teams, as well as the officials of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, for what he described as an honourable continental achievement at AFCON Morocco 2025.

The King commended the team’s perseverance, discipline and collective spirit, saying their performance showed the world what Moroccan and African youth can achieve when they believe in their talents and abilities.

“Through this distinguished journey, you have demonstrated that perseverance, discipline and team spirit are the path to success and achievement,” the Sovereign said. “You have also presented to the world an example of what Moroccan and African youth can accomplish when they trust in their talents and abilities.”

King Mohammed VI also linked the team’s success to Morocco’s long-term vision of investing in people and infrastructure, noting that the tournament had validated the Kingdom’s strategy to modernise its facilities and build human capital ahead of major global events such as the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

“You have proven, through your determination and heroic performance, the relevance of our strategic vision to invest in human capital and modernize the Kingdom’s infrastructure, which has demonstrated its resilience and world-class level of preparedness,” he said.

The Monarch praised Morocco’s hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations, describing the organisation and hospitality as a message of hope and confidence to the entire African continent.

“As much as we consider our country’s hosting of this prestigious championship to be a remarkable sporting achievement, we also view it as a message of hope and confidence from Morocco toward its continent, reaffirming that African talent is capable of excellence and innovation in all fields,” the King added.

He also paid tribute to Moroccan supporters for their passionate backing throughout the tournament and urged the team to build on the experience, assuring them of his continued support and encouragement as they pursue future international success.

Despite the final defeat, the King’s message underlined a national mood of pride, belief and optimism — and a conviction that Moroccan football is firmly on the path to even greater achievements.

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