Senegal 1-0 Morocco: The Teranga Lions stun the Atlas Lions at home to clinch the AFCON title
- Anweshan Ghosh
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
Senegal left Morocco stunned in Rabat as Papa Gueye’s extra-time banger sealed a 1-0 win at the end of a controversial extra time to clinch their second AFCON title in four years.
Brahim Diaz could have won it for the hosts with a late penalty which was controversially awarded in the 24th minute of added time after 90 minutes. As soon as the VAR directed the referee to award the Atlas Lions a spot kick, the Senegalese team walked off the pitch to protest against the blatant error from the match officials.
However, after resumption of play, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved Brahim Diaz’s penalty, who attempted a poor ‘Panenka’ with his weak right foot.
The game was an even one throughout ninety minutes, but the hosts had the better opportunities to bag a goal, securing an xG of 2.18. On the other hand, Senegal had an xG of 1.71.
Pape Gueye's stunning goal late in extra time left the hosts completely shocked, and large sections of the crowd booed the Real Madrid winger for missing the spot kick which could have won them the AFCON title.
Respect amidst controversy: Sadio Mane shows why he wears the captain's armband for Senegal
Sadio Mane lifted his second AFCON title after the Teranga Lions stunned the hosts, Morocco, in the final of the competition.
When the Atlas Lions were awarded the spot kick, late in injury time, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw directed his team to leave the field when defender El Hadji Malick Diouf brought down Brahim Diaz.
However, when the players headed back to the dressing room, former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane stormed inside and urged his players to enter the pitch with the help of goalkeeper Mendy.
Diaz’s penalty was comfortably saved by Mendy, turning the Real Madrid man’s brilliant tournament performance into a complete nightmare. Gueye scored an absolute belter of a goal in extra time to win it for the visitors.
Mané showed why he is an icon not only for Senegal but also for all of Africa. He has confirmed that this was his last AFCON and that he would retire from international football after the World Cup this summer.
"I think it would be crazy to not play this game because what, the referee gave a penalty and we went out of the game? I think that would be the worst thing, especially in African football. I'd rather lose than have this kind of thing happen to our football,” said Mane in the post-match interview. (sic)
He further added, "I think it's really bad. Football should not stop for even ten minutes, but what can we do? We have to accept that we did, but the good thing is that we came back and we played the game, and what happened happened.” (sic)
Had Sadio Mane not gone across his limits to bring his teammates back to the pitch, Morocco would have received a walkover.
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