AFCON 2025: When two Lions faced off in Morocco, it was the Teranga of Senegal that won
In a final that will be remembered as much for its unprecedented controversy as for its athletic brilliance, Senegal were crowned champions of Africa for the second time in their history.
In Rabat, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday, January 18, the Teranga Lions defeated the hosts, Morocco, 1-0 after extra time, sealing AFCON 2025 glory.
But the football almost became a side story. Because this final had everything: tension before kick-off, drama in stoppage time, a full-on pitch walk-off, a failed “Panenka” penalty, and a moment of leadership that stopped the whole game from falling apart.
The trouble started before the first whistle.
Senegal’s Football Federation (FSF) raised “serious concerns” about security. They claimed their team bus had been swarmed by fans, and said they were even denied access to a training pitch at Morocco’s base. That alone was enough to create a hostile build-up, but the heat didn’t stop there.
On social media, the debates grew louder by the day. People argued over referee appointments, and there were accusations that Morocco was being given favourable treatment as tournament hosts. By the time players stepped out onto the pitch, it already felt like more than just a football match.
Despite the noise around it, the game itself stayed tight for most of the normal time.
For 90 minutes, no side had drawn first blood. Although it wasn’t a match full of goals or chaos early on, it was tense, cagey, and hanging on a knife-edge.
But as the clock ran out, that pressure didn’t disappear.
The final completely lost control in the 98th minute.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw was already enraged after Congolese referee Jean-Jacques disallowed a close-range goal by Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr, judging there was a foul in the build-up.
Then came the moment that pushed everything over the edge.
Ndala was advised by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to award Morocco a penalty for a challenge by Senegalese defender El Hadji Malick Diouf on Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz. And Thiaw snapped.
In a move Morocco coach Walid Regragui called “shameful,” Thiaw ushered his players off the field in protest. Senegal walked toward the tunnel, and for around 17 to 20 minutes, the match was suspended while the football world stared in disbelief.
Even FIFA President Gianni Infantino, watching from the stands, later condemned the scenes, calling them “ugly” and unacceptable.
For a final, it was unheard of. And for African football, it was a moment that threatened to leave a stain far beyond one night.
While Senegal walked off, Sadio Mane stayed on the pitch.
Mane was credited with persuading his teammates to come back and finish the match.
Later, he explained, “It would be crazy to not play this game because... the referee gave a penalty.”
He also said he’d rather lose than see African football damaged by abandonment.
When play returned in the 20th minute of stoppage time, Morocco had the perfect chance to win the title.
Their star man, Brahim Diaz, the tournament’s top scorer, stepped up.
And instead of going safe, he must have listened to the voices in his head, afterall, he had been on fire the entire tournament, what could go wrong?
The Spanish-born forward, who switched allegiance just 3 years ago, saw himself delivering the second AFCON title to the Atlas Lions after a 50-year wait.
Brahim Diaz tried the one penalty technique that had befallen many famous footballers before him: the “Panenka”.
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy read it easily and caught it. Just like that, the chance was gone — and Morocco’s momentum went with it.
That miss didn’t just waste a penalty. It swung the entire final toward Senegal.
Senegal entered extra time with a different energy. Just three minutes into extra time, Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye stepped up and smashed in what was described as a “piledriver” left-footed strike from the edge of the box.
It flew straight into the top corner.
Morocco tried to respond with desperate attacks, and Brahim Diaz even had a close-range effort saved by Mendy. But Senegal held firm, protected their lead, and saw out the game.
When the final whistle came, it was over. Senegal were champions again.
Back home, the reaction was immediate.
The win triggered “ecstasy” in Dakar, and celebrations spread fast. Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye declared Monday a public holiday, giving the country space to properly celebrate the achievement.
After the dust settled, one name stood above the rest: Sadio Mane.
He was named AFCON 2025 Player of the Tournament.
And even though he wasn’t the top scorer — that honour went to Brahim Diaz, who finished with five goals — Mane was praised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for his leadership and calmness, especially during the final’s most volatile moments.
At 33 years old, and with speculation growing that this might be his last AFCON, the award felt like a tribute as much as a prize.
When Mane lifted the trophy — handed to him by captain Kalidou Koulibaly — it closed the curtain on a tournament that was as controversial as it was historic.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
