Senegal clinched the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title in emphatic fashion on Sunday night, defeating host nation Morocco in a pulsating final to lift their second continental crown and reaffirm their status as a powerhouse of African football.
Senegal had stormed off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them before returning to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time, and win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Midfielder Pape Gueye netted the 94th-minute winner, after Morocco’s star player Brahim Diaz squandered the chance to win it for the home side by fluffing the last-gasp penalty in normal time following a 14-minute delay.
Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw ordered his players off, and it was Sadio Mane who persuaded them to return.
The penalty was awarded following a VAR check by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala after Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf while defending a corner kick five minutes into stoppage time.
In front of a packed stadium and a passionate Moroccan crowd, the Teranga Lions showed composure, tactical discipline and championship pedigree to overcome the Atlas Lions, who had entered the final with high expectations and strong home support.
Senegal’s triumph silenced the hosts and crowned a remarkable AFCON campaign.
The final lived up to its billing, with both sides displaying intensity and quality. Morocco pressed aggressively in the early stages, but Senegal remained compact and organised, gradually asserting control. Their breakthrough came through well-worked team play, while a resilient defensive performance ensured the hosts were kept at bay despite late pressure.
Senegal’s road to the title was marked by consistency and authority.
They topped their group, dispatched formidable opponents in the knockout rounds and saved one of their most mature performances for the final. Key players delivered when it mattered most, while the technical crew was widely praised for its tactical clarity and game management.
For Morocco, the defeat was a painful end to an otherwise impressive tournament, as hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil were dashed by a more clinical Senegalese side.
Scenes of jubilation erupted across Senegal as fans celebrated the historic victory, hailing the team for its resilience and unity.
The 2025 AFCON triumph adds another glittering chapter to Senegal’s football history and further cements the Teranga Lions’ place among Africa’s elite.
With this victory over the tournament hosts, Senegal have not only won the AFCON title but also sent a clear message of their enduring dominance on the continental stage.
