Senegal Shock Morocco to Win 2025 AFCON Title in Rabat
Mendy Saves Panenka as Senegal Defeat Morocco in AFCON Final
Senegal claimed their second Africa Cup of Nations title after a dramatic 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in the 2025 AFCON final in Rabat on Sunday, 18 January. Pape Gueye’s extra-time strike sealed the win as the Teranga Lions stunned the home crowd at the Stade Moulay Abdellah.
Senegal’s players sprinted away in celebration at the final whistle after grinding out victory under heavy rain. The triumph marks Senegal’s second AFCON crown and their second title in three tournaments, having also lifted the trophy in 2022.
“The players deserve credit,” Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw said after the match. “This was an objective we set for ourselves, especially this year. We prepared well, knowing it would be difficult. We suffered, but we showed character and resilience, and it paid off.”
The decisive moment came in the first period of extra time when Pape Gueye collected a pass from Idrissa Gana Gueye, drove into the Moroccan penalty area, and fired a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Extra time followed a chaotic end to regulation play. Morocco was awarded a late penalty, prompting Senegal’s players to briefly walk off the pitch in protest before being convinced to return. When play resumed, Brahim Díaz attempted a panenka from the spot, but Édouard Mendy produced a crucial save to keep Senegal alive.
“Today was the match where I had to give everything,” Senegal star Sadio Mané said. “There were no excuses. I told myself this could be my last AFCON match. It was today or never.”
Thiaw later apologized for the mid-game walkout. “We reacted in the heat of the moment. It wasn’t the right response, and we accept that referees can make mistakes.”
Mané added that he encouraged teammates to stay on the pitch after consulting senior figures. “In the end, we were rewarded.”
For Morocco, the defeat extends their wait for a first AFCON title since 1976. Head coach Walid Regragui declined to discuss his future, instead focusing on missed opportunities.
“We lost on the details,” Regragui said. “When you miss a penalty, everything turns against you. It’s painful for the Moroccan people, but we will come back stronger.”
