Senegal Clinches AFCON 2025 Title After Dramatic Final Against Morocco

Final drama and the Panenka debate

Pape Gueye, Senegal's star, acknowledged that withdrawing temporarily during the final against Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was a mistake, and he explained his view on how Ibrahim Diaz took the late penalty.

The Senegalese team lifted the continental trophy for the second time in their history, sealing a dramatic win over host nation Morocco on Sunday.

The Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala disallowed a Senegal goal in stoppage time of the second half, then awarded a penalty to Morocco.

Senegal's players and their coach protested the decision and briefly left the pitch, only to return after a call from Sadio Mane.

Diaz missed the penalty after attempting a Panenka, with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saving easily, while Gueye fired a rocket into the net in extra time to seal the victory (1-0).

Gueye told Téléfoot that humans make mistakes and that they realized it quickly and returned to the field. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the positives, especially given how well Morocco organized the tournament.

Regarding Diaz's Panenka attempt, the Senegal midfielder said it was a bold move. He himself would not have tried it, and while scoring would have been remarkable, it is a high-risk, high-reward move that requires courage.

Gueye also expressed confidence that the Lions of Teranga can compete with the world's best, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching, insisting Senegal has the talent to face teams as strong as France.

He added that Senegal believes they can match the top teams in the world, predicting a big tournament ahead for both sides with plenty of talent to showcase.

CAF's technical committee later named Pape Gueye the man of the match for his decisive performance and the goal that crowned his country champions.

Two light punchlines to close with a wink: first, even a sharp sniper would applaud Gueye’s finish—precision when it mattered most. second, if the Panenka had worked, we’d all be quoting Zidane; since it didn’t, we’re left with a story that’s hotter than a Moroccan tagine in January.