Senegal beat Morocco after walk-off drama to claim second AFCON crown

The road to the final was filled with tension for the Teranga Lions long before the opening whistle. Leading up to the match, the Senegalese delegation was embroiled in fierce disagreements with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and local organizers. These disputes involved poor training conditions, unfair ticket allocations for fans, and significant concerns over team security and housing. 

However, despite the immense pressure and a stadium packed with 66,000 passionate Moroccan supporters, Sadio Mane’s squad remained focused. Their mental toughness allowed the West African nation to secure their second continental crown in four years, marking the start of a dominant era.

In terms of team selection, both managers made key changes to their lineups. Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui re-introduced Bilal El Khannouss to his midfield to boost his team's playmaking abilities. 

On the other side, Senegal manager Pape Thiaw relied on a sturdy defensive unit, featuring Edouard Mendy in goal and the powerful Abdoulaye Seck at center-back. Furthermore, the return of Ismaila Sarr to the starting XI gave Senegal the necessary speed to threaten Morocco’s defensive line.

The game began as a disciplined tactical battle but slowly descended into chaos. Senegal looked stronger in the first half, though Iliman Ndiaye failed to convert a one-on-one opportunity against Yassine Bounou after 38 minutes. 

After the break, Morocco grew more aggressive, but Ayoub El Kaabi missed a golden chance to score from point-blank range. The real drama occurred during stoppage time when a VAR check resulted in a penalty for Morocco following a foul on Brahim Diaz. Feeling cheated by an earlier disallowed goal, the Senegalese players walked off the field in a shocking protest.

Following a nearly 20-minute standoff and calm intervention from Sadio Mane, the match finally continued. Diaz tried to outsmart the goalkeeper with a Panenka-style chip, but Edouard Mendy did not move and easily caught the ball, forcing the match into an additional 30 minutes.

The decisive moment arrived early in extra time, specifically in the 94th minute. After a pass from Idrissa Gana Gueye, midfielder Pape Gueye fired a powerful left-footed shot that bounced off the crossbar into the net. 

This was Gueye's second goal of the competition and his fifth overall for his country. Interestingly, this was also the first time Senegal had ever found the back of the net in an AFCON final, despite playing in three previous title matches.

Senegal’s recent record is truly impressive, having reached the final in three of the last four tournaments and winning two trophies. Meanwhile, the wait goes on for Morocco. The "Atlas Lions" have not won the AFCON since 1976, meaning their painful championship drought has now reached exactly half a century.

While Gueye provided the winning goal, Sadio Mane was officially recognized as the tournament's best player. The legendary attacker received the "Player of the Tournament" award after recording two goals and three assists throughout the competition. 

Beyond his stats, his leadership in preventing his team from abandoning the final was seen as a crucial moment for African football.