Inside the Final: New Clues Emerge About Senegal’s AFCON 2025 Exit

Behind the Final: New Clues on Senegal's Exit

In Rabat's stadium, Mamadou Sarr, a key Senegalese defender, offered a fresh glimpse into the pivotal moments surrounding Senegal's temporary withdrawal from the AFCON 2025 final against Morocco.

Senegal ultimately sealed the title with a 1-0 victory, thanks to a late strike from Pabi Jay, marking the Lions of Teranga's second AFCON title and their first since 2021.

Reported by a Moroccan outlet, Sarr recalled the moment and noted that the team told each other to keep going, recognizing it as their duty to finish the match.

I can’t fully grasp what happened, he added, but we are overjoyed. We spoke after walking off the pitch because we were frustrated, thinking the possibility was gone.

We decided inside to come back, and officials spoke to us as well, which perhaps motivated us to return to the field.

Sarr highlighted the role of captain Sadio Mane, who remained on the touchline and urged teammates to complete the contest.

The late drama intensified as the referee disallowed a Senegalese goal for a foul on Achraf Hakimi, followed by a Moroccan penalty after a challenge on Ibrahim Diaz. Senegal protested vigorously, with many players leaving the field under coach Pape Thiaye’s instructions before Mane’s intervention.

After their return, Diaz’s penalty was missed, and then Pabi Jay fired into the net to hand Senegal the title, extending Morocco’s half-century wait for a second crown.

Punchline 1: If patience is a sniper’s best weapon, Senegal just fired the longest, most precise shot of the season—straight into the back of the net.

Punchline 2: And if drama were a sport, this final would win gold—because the whistle blew, but the story kept firing shots until the shot found its target.