Senegal beat Morocco in a dramatic extra-time thriller to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final Jan. 18, but it wasn’t without some fireworks near the end that resulted in Senegal manager Pape Thiaw calling his players off the pitch.
In the 94th minute, Senegal originally broke a nil-nil deadlock on a header from Abdoulaye Seck that was deflected into the net by forward IsmaΓ―la Sarr to give them a one-goal advantage. However, that was nullified after the referee called a foul on Sarr for pushing off Morocco defender Aschraf Hakimi, a controversial call as many believed Hakimi dove in an attempt to draw a whistle.
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Senegal strikes but it wonβt count; foul in the buildup!#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025#UBCAFCON2025pic.twitter.com/L3f8xkjO0c
β UBC UGANDA (@ubctvuganda) January 18, 2026
Four minutes later, Morocco was again the beneficiary of a controversial call when they were awarded a penalty after VAR (Video Assistance Referee) intervened and ruled contact in the box. Madness ensued.
Thiaw instructed his players to return to the dressing room in protest, many of whom followed suit while Senegal captain Sadio Mane tried to get his teammates back on the pitch. Fifteen minutes would pass before the match resumed, after which goalkeeper Γdouard Mendy easily saved Morocco forward Brahim Diaz’s penalty shot.
92′: Senegal score a late winner but it is chalked off for a foul in the buildup, no VAR check β
98′: Morocco receive a penalty after VAR intervenes after contact in the box π
A near 15 minute delay occurs after Senegal exits the pitch and refuses to play on in protest of the⦠pic.twitter.com/P2Ucut59v7
β CBS Sports Golazo β½οΈ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 18, 2026
With new life in extra time, midfielder Pape Gueye capitalized on the attack and fired a shot from just outside the box past the keeper and into the back corner of the net in the fourth minute. This time, the goal would stand.
Minutes later, the final whistle blew and Senegal were crowned AFCON champions.
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Gueye fires Senegal into the game#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025#UBCAFCON2025pic.twitter.com/JxBXbH3arP
β UBC UGANDA (@ubctvuganda) January 18, 2026
To borrow an age-old basketball proverb: “ball don’t lie.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Senegal leaves pitch in closing minutes of AFCON final
