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

Senegal were crowned champions of Africa after a dramatic and controversial Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, defeating hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time amid scenes of confusion and protest.

it is their second title, having previously won in 2021 in Cameroon. Senegal have thus featured in three of the last four final matches of the Africa Cup of Nations.

But the 2025 final match took a farcical turn late in normal time when Senegal briefly walked off the pitch in protest at a penalty awarded to Morocco following a VAR review. After a 14-minute delay, the players returned, only for Morocco’s star man Brahim Diaz to squander the opportunity, attempting a Panenka-style chip that was comfortably caught by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Just four minutes into extra time, Senegal struck the decisive blow. Midfielder Pape Gueye powered home the winner in the 94th minute, giving goalkeeper Yassine Bounou no chance and sealing a famous victory for the Teranga Lions.

The controversial penalty had been awarded after Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala judged that Senegal full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf had fouled Diaz while defending a corner. The decision sparked angry scenes as players and officials remonstrated with the referee before Senegal left the field in protest.

Senegal’s composure returned after the missed spot kick, and they made their advantage count in extra time to hand Morocco their first defeat in 27 matches and deny the hosts a second Africa Cup of Nations title, 50 years after their only previous triumph.

The final was an end-to-end contest played at a ferocious pace before a partisan crowd of 66,526. Both goalkeepers were outstanding, with Bounou and Mendy producing a string of fine saves as chances came at both ends.

Morocco had earlier gone close through Ayoub El Kaabi, who missed a clear chance in the second half, while Senegal saw a late goal ruled out in stoppage time before the penalty drama unfolded.

“We really wanted to win here. It was very difficult, but we gave everything,” said match-winner Gueye.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui admitted his disappointment but congratulated Senegal.

“When you get a penalty in the last minute, you see victory very close,” he said. “In the end, football catches up with you. We congratulate Senegal, even if what happened around the penalty was disappointing.”

Senegal’s victory gives them their second Africa Cup of Nations title in three tournaments and confirms their status as the continent’s dominant force, while Morocco’s long wait for a second continental crown continues.

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By Kunle Solaja, Rabat

In the midst of speculations that the Tunisian FA could be head-hunting Super Eagles’ manager, Eric Sekou Chelle, the Nigeria Football Federation has indicated intentions to hold tenaciously to the Malian tactician.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has declared that the Super Eagles are close to “running on autopilot” and set for sustained success under head coach Éric Chelle, following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Gusau, who is also President of WAFU B, said the bronze-medal campaign showed that Nigeria had finally turned the corner after the disappointment of consecutive FIFA World Cup qualification failures and was now ready to rise to new heights.

“Actually, when we landed in Morocco, our objective was to win the AFCON trophy,” Gusau said. “We finished in third place, but my joy is in the way the team played – with zest, patriotic fervour, resilience and character.”

The NFF boss paid tribute to the Federal Government and the National Sports Commission for their support, singling out President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the backing that made the campaign possible.

He also praised Chelle, the Franco-Malian tactician appointed in January last year, saying the coach had shown “enormous capacity” within a year in charge.

“As the head of a hard-working technical crew, Mr. Chelle has done exceedingly well. The NFF will continue to encourage, support and motivate the team as we go forward,” Gusau added.

Nigeria finished the tournament with a bronze medal after defeating Egypt on penalties in Casablanca, capping a campaign that restored belief and confidence in the national team.

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