AFCON
Senegal Defy Chaos to Beat Morocco in Dramatic AFCON Final
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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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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