Zim GBC News | Sports Writer
RABAT, Morocco – Senegal secured their second Africa Cup of Nations title in five years after a deeply contentious final against hosts Morocco was marred by an unprecedented 17-minute stoppage when Senegal’s players were ordered off the pitch in protest of a late penalty decision.
The match, locked at 0-0 deep into stoppage time, erupted in chaos in the 98th minute. Referee Jean Jacques Ndala, after a VAR review, awarded Morocco a penalty for a challenge by Senegal’s El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz.
Incensed by the call, and moments after having a goal by Ismaila Sarr disallowed, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw directed his players to leave the field. While most followed, captain Sadio Mane remained, pleading with his teammates to return and complete the match.
“I think it would be crazy to not play this game… I think it’s really bad,” Mane said post-match.
“Football should not stop for 10 minutes… I’d rather lose than this kind of thing happen to our football.”
The drama intensified as objects were thrown from the stands and some fans attempted to breach the pitch. After the lengthy delay, play resumed. Real Madrid’s Diaz saw his chipped ‘Panenka’ penalty easily saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, sending the match to extra time.
There, Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the 104th minute to seal a 1-0 victory for the Teranga Lions.
In a post-match interview with BeIN Sport, Coach Thiaw apologized for his actions.
“We didn’t agree… I apologise for the football,” he stated.
“After reflecting on it I made them come back… you can react in the heat of the moment. We accept the errors of the referee. We shouldn’t have done it but it’s done.”
Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui, condemned Senegal’s walk-off as “shameful” and said it did not “honour Africa.”
The controversy capped a tournament where refereeing and VAR decisions were heavily scrutinized. Senegal’s football federation had also voiced “serious concerns” before the final about team security and logistics, alleging a lack of protection upon arrival in Rabat and insufficient ticket allocations.
Match-winner Gueye acknowledged the team’s sense of injustice.
“We had a feeling of injustice… Sadio told us to come back on and we remobilised,” he said.
Despite the victory, the shocking scenes overshadowed the conclusion of a tournament that had been praised for its organization, leaving a complex legacy for Moroccan football with four years until it co-hosts the 2030 World Cup.
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