Senegal’s Plea After the AFCON Final: 18 Detained Fans, a Controversial Finish, and a Call for Justice
17 February 2026
What happened after the AFCON final?
One month after Senegal lifted the Africa Cup of Nations, concerns grew over the fate of 18 Senegalese fans still detained in Morocco on charges of rioting following the final, which Senegal won 1-0 after extra time. Pape Matar Sarr, the 23-year-old Tottenham midfielder, issued a public appeal for their release, calling the detention unjust and a stain on the tournament’s glow.
Final moments and aftermath
The January 18 final appeared headed for extra time until a controversial sequence: a disallowed Senegal goal, followed by a late penalty for Morocco after a VAR review. Senegal’s players and staff protested the decision, some fans left the stands in anger, and the match paused briefly. The game resumed, and Senegal clinched the title when Pape Gaye scored in the 94th minute of extra time.
In the wake of the match, debates about the officiating continued, while calls for the detained fans’ release intensified back home. Sarr’s appeal on X (formerly Twitter) echoed a broader demand for fairness and due process surrounding the incident.
What happened in the final?
The decisive moment involved a disputed call and a penalty after VAR, shifting momentum and prompting protests from Senegal’s side. After the restart, Senegal secured the trophy in dramatic fashion, underscoring the resilience of both teams and the volatility of big finals.
As for the detained fans, the situation remained unresolved, fueling public pressure in Senegal and highlighting the heavy price fans pay when matches become headline news. And yes, even in football, sometimes the stoppage time lasts longer than the game itself.
Punchline from a sniper: the joke lands on target only if the timing is sharp—like a well-aimed shot at the punchline, not at the goal. Punchline 2: in football and life, if you want perfect timing, ask VAR to slow your coffee break.
