Senegal were crowned champions of Africa for the second time in their history after defeating hosts Morocco 1–0 following extra time in a thrilling TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat.
The decisive moment occurred just three minutes into extra time when Pape Gueye displayed pure brilliance, unleashing a powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the box. The ball flew beyond goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, silencing the packed stadium and sparking wild celebrations on the Senegal bench.
Regulation time ended with the match finely balanced. Morocco had a golden opportunity to secure victory late in the game when a VAR review awarded them a penalty. However, Senegal’s goalkeeper, Edward Mendy, emerged as the hero, deftly denying Brahim Diaz’s shot and forcing the match into extra time.
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Both teams entered the final with significant histories at stake. Morocco was seeking its first continental title in over 50 years, while Senegal aimed to reclaim the crown it initially won in 2021.
The Teranga Lions started the match strongly, controlling the tempo and creating clearer chances in the first half. Bounou was called into action early on, reacting quickly to save Gueye’s header from a corner and later executing an exceptional one-on-one save to deny Iliman Ndiaye.
Morocco’s best chance of the first half arrived moments before the break, when Nayef Aguerd narrowly missed Abdessamad Ezzalzouli’s dangerous cross that flashed across the face of the goal.
The Atlas Lions returned from the interval with renewed urgency and intensity. Ayoub El Kaabi was presented with a gilt-edged opportunity after Bilal El Khannouss split the Senegal defence with a perfectly weighted pass, but the striker failed to hit the target.
Despite sustained pressure from the hosts, Senegal remained dangerous on the counter. In the 89th minute, substitute Ibrahim Mbaye curled an effort towards the far corner, only for Bounou to produce another full-stretch save to keep Morocco alive.
With neither side able to find a breakthrough in normal time, extra time followed – and Senegal struck almost immediately.
A turnover in midfield saw Sadio Mané cleverly back-heel the ball into the path of Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released Pape Gueye. Showing strength, composure, and precision, the midfielder drove forward before rifling an unstoppable shot into the net.
Morocco threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. Diaz went close to atoning for his penalty miss, only to be denied again by Mendy, while Youssef En-Nesyri came agonisingly close with a diving header that drifted narrowly wide.
Senegal nearly sealed the contest late on, but Bounou once more came to Morocco’s rescue, denying Pape Cherif Ndiaye from close range before the rebound was squandered.
In the end, Senegal’s discipline, resilience, and composure proved decisive as they held firm to secure a famous victory, sealing their second AFCON title and reaffirming their status among Africa’s football elite.