Senegal outwit Morocco to claim 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

By:Paul Myers

It was a thunderbolt of a strike that left the Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou a bemused spectator.

The goal came a few minutes after Brahim Diaz botched a penalty that could have delivered the trophy to his country for only the second time since the inception of the competition in 1957.

His panenka – a chipped shot into the centre of the goal – failed to fool the Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy who caught it easily in the middle of his chest.

Diaz’s kick came some 15 minutes after it was awarded.

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In between, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the field angry that referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo had disallowed Ismaila Sarr’s goal for a foul in the build-up and then sanctioned Malick Diouf for his tug on Diaz.

But the players returned for the dénouement under the instructions of veteran striker Sadio Mané.

Redeemed by Diaz’s gaffe, Senegal exploded into extra-time bristling with a sense of injustice. 

After the opener, they defended valiantly and enjoyed a tad of luck: Nayef Aguerd’s header thundered off the crossbar in the 108th minute. 

A few minutes later, Thiaw’s men could have killed the suspense but Bounou stopped Cherif Ndiaye’s first shot and palmed the ball away as he was about to slot home the rebound.

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“It was a difficlt match,” Gueye told broadcaster M6. “The supporters in Morocco have been great and it has been a great country. So, so difficult, the match … we didn’t cheat. Senegal are champions of Africa.”

The defeat marks the end of Morocco’s unbeaten sequence of 24 matches stretching back to March 2024.

“Congratulations to Senegal,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui. “But the image we gave of African football is disappointing, with everything that happened when the penalty was given.

“I’m disappointed for the fans,” he added. “And also for the players. But they and Morocco will come back stronger.”

Mané, flanked by Mendy, skipper Idrissa Gana Gueye and veteran defender Kalidou Koulibaly gathered to lift the trophy amid a shower of glitter and fireworks.

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Morocco and Senegal will be in action at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Morocco will play in Group C against Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.

Senegal will feature in Group I with France, Norway and a team that emerges from the intercontinental play-off in March.

Source: Senegal outwit Morocco to claim 2025 Africa Cup of Nations – RFI