Senegal overcame a staged walk out in protest over perceived poor referring controversy to win their second Africa Cup of Nations title with a 1-0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in Rabat on Sunday.
Pape Gueye struck the decisive goal in the 94th minute.
The drama erupted in stoppage time when Senegal believed they had taken the lead through Ismaïla Sarr in the 92nd minute, only for referee Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo to disallow the goal for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi.
Minutes later, VAR intervened to award Morocco a penalty for El Hadji Malick Diouf’s tug on Brahim Díaz whilst defending a corner.
Manager Pape Thiaw responded by leading his entire squad off the pitch in protest, leaving captain Sadio Mané alone on the field to eventually persuade his teammates to return after more than 15 minutes.
When play finally resumed, Díaz attempted a Panenka penalty down the centre of the goal, but Edouard Mendy read the intention and caught the ball comfortably.
The missed spot-kick proved fatal for Morocco, who were hosting the tournament and seeking to end a 50-year wait for continental glory.
Gueye delivered the breakthrough just four minutes into extra time, receiving the ball from Mané after Neil El Aynaoui’s poor touch and holding off Hakimi before unleashing a fierce strike that clipped the underside of the crossbar.
Morocco threw bodies forward desperately, with Youssef En-Nesyri shooting wide and Nayef Aguerd hitting the woodwork, but could not find an equaliser.
The result continued a pattern of tight AFCON finals, with this becoming the 10th of the last 13 showpiece matches to finish either goalless or 1-0.
Senegal’s triumph came amid what has otherwise been praised as an excellent tournament featuring state-of-the-art stadiums and high-quality football but skewed by officiating that seemed to favour the hosts even against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their semi-final fixture.
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