They beat Morocco in a dramatic final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Senegal won their second AFCON title off the back of this match, which ended 1-0 after extra time. Pape Gueye’s goal in the one hundred twenty-sixth minute proved to be the winning goal, securing the tournament victory for Senegal. A string of inflammatory events nearly eclipsed the much-needed win and sullied the mood.
The match, which finished 0-0 in regular time, featured a physical and aggressive contest between the two squads. Its climax exploded in a shitstorm of controversy. It all came to a head with this unsightly spectacle, leading to Senegal’s coach Pape Thiaw having to leave the pitch in anger. In an act of desperation to level up the game, Moroccan Brahim Diaz stepped up for a game-changing penalty kick. Sadly, he didn’t connect, ending Morocco’s hopes and leaving local supporters heartbroken.
A Final Filled with Tension
The title contest’s atmosphere was filled with a sense of expectation and fervor often found in a championship event. Senegal and Morocco, viewed as two of the best teams in Africa, had major issues scoring in regular time. As time ran out, the competitive pressure increased dramatically.
In extra time, Senegal’s Pape Gueye managed to break the deadlock, scoring the winning goal that sent his team into celebrations. Unfortunately, that joy was overshadowed by the dramatic and disorderly scenes to come. The match officials were again the talking point as both teams were left frustrated by a number of controversial decisions during the fiery encounter.
“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner,” – Gianni Infantino
Aside from those aspects, FIFA President Gianni Infantino specifically condemned the violence and chaos that followed as equally unacceptable sports conduct. He focused on the need to create a culture that respects match officials and their decisions. Not doing so is a slippery slope toward eroding integrity in college football.
Aftermath of the Match
The fallout from the match was significant. Senegalese Sadio Mane was instrumental for the whole tournament. At the final whistle, he could barely bring himself to leave the field. His actions aimed to urge his teammates to stay and celebrate their triumph despite the negativity surrounding the conclusion of the game.
Moroccan coach Walid Regragui condemned the acts as “shameful,” claiming they do no credit to African football. His comments reflected what many fans were thinking. They viewed the final as a shoddy end to a generally well-run tournament met with admiration from competitors including Egypt and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
The reputational damage to African football is incalculable, as is the future impact of this shameful episode. These chaotic scenes marred Senegal’s historic victory and cast a shadow on upcoming tournaments and governance within African football.
