The Albany Gazette - Senegal stun hosts Morocco to win AFCON title after final walk-off protest

Brahim Diaz could have won the trophy for Morocco when he stepped up to take the spot-kick in the 24th added minute of added time at the end of the initial 90 minutes as ugly scenes broke out in the crowd and press box.

But Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the weak attempted 'Panenka' chip by the Real Madrid winger, who was clearly distracted by the long delay that followed the penalty award.

"We gave everything. We didn't cheat," match-winner Gueye told French broadcaster M6.

"It was a really difficult match but we were determined to win here. This is a beautiful country and they have incredible supporters.

"Senegal are champions of Africa and we are so happy."

Congolese match referee Jean-Jacques Ndala gave the penalty right at the end of the allotted eight added minutes following a VAR check for a challenge on Diaz in the box by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Diaz, the rest of the Moroccan team and their bench vehemently protested to the referee to check the images, but the decision to eventually give the spot-kick was met with fury by Senegal and their fans.

As most of their players walked off the pitch, some Senegal supporters in the small section of away fans at the opposite end of the stadium threw chairs and other objects and attempted to get onto the field of play.

They were eventually contained by a large barrier of police and stewards, and their anger turned to delight and disbelief when the penalty was saved after the game restarted.

The Senegal team had initially been riled by the referee's decision to disallow for a foul a goal scored by Ismaila Sarr in the second added minute.

- Gueye the hero -

After Diaz's penalty miss, however, it felt almost inevitable that a galvanised Senegal would go on to score, and they did so in the fourth minute of extra time to stun the home fans in the crowd of 66,526 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Sadio Mane won possession in midfield and found Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released his namesake Pape Gueye.

The Villarreal midfielder held off Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi as he advanced towards the box before beating goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with a superb strike into the top corner, leaving the hosts distraught.

They could still have forced a penalty shoot-out, with Nayef Aguerd heading against the crossbar in the second half of extra time.

But it was not to be for Morocco, who had been dreaming of winning the title in front of their own fans to end a 50-year wait to become African champions for just the second time.

Senegal held on, and it is their second Cup of Nations title in the last three editions, after they defeated Egypt on penalties in Yaounde in 2022 to win the trophy for the very first time.

They can now look forward to the World Cup, and will hope to persuade star man Mane to play at another AFCON after he declared that the final would be his last ever game at the tournament.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui said: "Congratulations to Senegal, but the image we gave of African football is disappointing, with everything that happened when the penalty was given."

Any investigation into the disgraceful scenes will focus on the conduct of the Senegal team and their fans as well as any shortcomings by Moroccan organisers.

The incidents came at the end of a tense final low on goalmouth action -- not exactly surprising given the defensive strength of Africa's best teams according to the FIFA rankings.

Senegal's Iliman Ndiaye was denied by Bounou from the best chance in the first half, while Morocco should have scored just before the hour mark but Ayoub El Kaabi prodded wide from a Bilal El Khannouss cross.

Then came the late drama, with Senegal surviving the penalty award before Gueye became their hero -- remarkably that was the first goal scored by Senegal in an AFCON final after they had failed to find the net in any of their three previous appearances in the tournament's deciding game.

It was an agonising way for Morocco's campaign to end, and many of their fans left the stadium before the final whistle on a cold and wet night in Rabat.

(T.Martin--TAG)