AFCON: Senegal snatches football cup from hosts Morocco

Senegal's Pape Gueye scored the decisive point in the fourth minute of extra time, after a goalless game that was briefly interrupted with a Senegal walk-off.

Senegal won their second ever African Football Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy on Sunday, beating hosts Morocco 1-0.

The game's only goal came at the fourth minute of extra time, when Pape Gueye's decisive kick landed the ball in the top-right corner of the goal.

"Senegal are champions of Africa and we are so happy," 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."

Hosts Morocco were fighting for their second AFCON title, a trophy that has eluded them since their 1976 win.

Controversial penalty halts match

Sunday's game was briefly interrupted when Senegal briefly walked off, in protest against a stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco at the very deep end of the regulation 90 minutes.

Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz however ended up missing the penalty, which Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy effortlessly saved.

Many of Morocco's some 66,500 fans left the Moulay Abdellah Stadium before the final whistle on the cold and wet night, having their dream of celebrating their team's success crushed by Senegal's victory.

"We are really disappointed for all the Moroccan people," Morocco's coach Walid Regragui said after the match. "When you get a penalty in the last minute, you can see victory very close, but in the end football catches up with you."

"We congratulate Senegal, even if what we showed of African football was disappointing, given everything that happened when the penalty was awarded."

Senegal won their first Cup of Nations title in 2022, when they defeated Egypt on penalties.

Edited by: Zac Crellin