Audio By Carbonatix
Pape Gueye's extra-time goal was enough to seal a second Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title for Senegal, after chaotic scenes at the end of normal time saw the West Africans walk off the pitch and Brahim Diaz miss a penalty for Morocco in the 24th minute of injury time.
The lengthy delay came after the spot kick was awarded via the intervention of the video assistant referee (VAR), sparking angry scenes on the touchline and in the crowd, with Senegal fans clashing with security after attempting to break on to the pitch.
After waiting so long to take his penalty, Diaz was under immense pressure, having been handed the chance to end his country's 50-year wait to lift the Afcon trophy with essentially the final kick of the game, but his decision to chip the ball down the middle backfired horrendously as Edouard Mendy was able to stand his ground and collect in embarrassingly simple fashion.
After 90 minutes which were largely devoid of obvious goalscoring opportunities, the unsavoury scenes at the end were a poor advert for African football, especially with Morocco talking up this tournament as a test event for co-hosting the 2030 Fifa World Cup.
Chances did come at both ends after Gueye's strike four minutes into extra time, but the closest Morocco came to an equaliser was when Nayef Aguerd powered a header against the bar from a corner.
And as the rain poured down in Rabat, Morocco's dream of a first continental crown since 1976 was washed away in dramatic fashion.
Latest Stories
-
She Gives: The ripple effect of women who choose to give
9 minutes -
Nadowli-Kaleo District observes 69th Independence Day with cultural exhibition and academic awards
13 minutes -
Chambas Team of Red Alert, Narcotics Commission join forces to combat drug abuse
31 minutes -
Tano North MCE launches 75 km road project under DRIP initiative
47 minutes -
Galamsey Chemicals and Air Pollution linked to rising Diabetes risk in children
1 hour -
EduSpots celebrates a decade of digitalised community-led education and shares future vision
2 hours -
Karpowership empowers female students as STEM sector remains predominantly male-dominated
3 hours -
Accra New Town Experimental 1 JHS students decry lack of laboratories, poor classroom conditions
3 hours -
Yale School of Management names Togbe Afede XIV as global chair
3 hours -
Citizen Attoh: The multifaceted voice of Ghana’s media and heritage
4 hours -
Breaking borders, building futures: How African-led AI is rewriting the rules of global innovation
5 hours -
Guinea orders dissolution of 40 political parties, including three main opposition groups
5 hours -
Dozens killed as Israeli special forces raid Lebanese village in search of 40-year-old remains
5 hours -
Trump demands ‘unconditional surrender’ from Iran as Putin speaks with Iran’s president
6 hours -
Iran Embassy in Ghana opens Book of condolence after death of Supreme leader in US-Israel attacks
7 hours
