RABAT, Morocco – Senegal stunned Morocco in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final as Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 win over the hosts after a chaotic end to the match marred by the eventual champions storming off the pitch in a lengthy protest following a controversial late penalty award. 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.
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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.
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.
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