Final Whirlwind: Senegal Triumphs as Morocco’s AFCON Hosting Faces Scrutiny

A Final Marked by Chaos and Controversy

The Africa Cup of Nations final, hosted by Morocco, delivered a storyline as dramatic as any cinema script: a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Senegal over the host nation with moments of high tension and contentious officiating that dominated the closing stages.

Speaking through the outlet Foot Mercato, Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, said the tournament was excellent and well organized by Morocco, but regretted the chaotic episode in the final that tarnished the event’s image. He emphasized that such moments should not overshadow a competition that was otherwise a success.

Diallo also reflected on the role of refereeing in football, stating that disagreements and decisions are part of the sport’s history and even help spark lively discussions the next day—perhaps in cafés after a long day of arguing about line calls.

As the match wore on, tensions rose when a goal was disallowed by the referee, followed by the awarding of a controversial penalty after a VAR review. Senegal protested vigorously, and some of their players briefly left the pitch as fans vented their frustration. The stoppage disrupted the rhythm of a tightly contested final, drawing global attention to safety and sporting integrity.

After the resumption, the teams returned to a high-stakes battle, with the tension finally breaking through in stoppage time. Baba Gaye struck a decisive shot in the 94th minute to put Senegal ahead, a moment that silenced the crowd and shifted the momentum toward Senegal as they navigated extra time with composure.

In the end, Senegal sealed the title in extra time, turning a moment of controversy into celebration for the Lions of Teranga, while Morocco left with a bittersweet memory of a tournament that they hosted with pride, yet could not finish with a trophy in front of their supporters.