The governing body of African football has confirmed it has opened disciplinary proceedings after Senegal players staged a mid-game walk-off during a chaotic end to the Africa Cup of Nations final.
The final in Rabat descended into chaos deep into stoppage time when hosts Morocco were awarded a penalty after a VAR review by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala as Diaz went down the box under the challenge of El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Senegal, who had an opening goal disallowed for a soft foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi moments before, were outraged and the majority of the Senegal team, led by head coach Pape Thiaw, stormed off the pitch, leading to a 14-minute delay.
When Senegal were convinced to come back onto the pitch by talisman Sadio Mane, Diaz, with the chance to win the trophy for Morocco in the 24th minute of stoppage time, chipped his penalty softly down the middle – resulting in the easiest of saves for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The final then went to extra time, where Pape Gueye scored a stunning goal to win Senegal their second Africa Cup of Nations title in four years. Thiaw later apologised for his actions, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it was reviewing footage and that disciplinary proceedings will follow, adding that it “condemns the unacceptable behaviour from some players and officials”.
Follow all the latest updates from the Afcon final below
Senegal vs Morocco live
- Senegal see off Morocco after extra time to be crowned Afcon champions in chaotic final
- How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
- CAF issuements statement on Afcon chaos and says appropriate action to be taken
- Morocco coach calls Senegal’s Pape Thiaw ‘shameful’ after leading Afcon final walk-off protest
- Brahim Diaz in tears after disastrous ‘Panenka’ penalty costs Morocco Afcon final
- Sadio Mane praised after ending Senegal protest in chaotic Afcon final
Diaz’s ‘Panenka’ miss
16:05 , Mike JonesBrahim Diaz, the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, stepped up to the plate in the 24th minute of stoppage time, with further delays coming about as goalkeeper Edouard Mendy persistently came off his line to speak to the Real Madrid midfielder, perhaps in a bid to put him off.
When Diaz eventually took the spot-kick, he inexplicably tried a ‘Panenka’-style chip and has weak penalty sailed tamely into the arms of Mendy, passing up on the opportunity to deliver Morocco a first Afcon title in 50 years.
The reaction of the Senegal players - hardly celebrating before turning and running up the other end - raised the eyebrows of viewers.
Senegal return to the field
15:49 , Mike JonesSadio Mane ran into the dressing room to retrieve his players and after a 16-minute hiatus, the Senegal squad returned to the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium turf to allow Morocco to take their penalty.
In what he says was his last ever Afcon match, Mane was evidently instrumental on getting his teammates back on the pitch, with Pape Thiaw eventually giving in and similarly instructing his players to return.
Senegal’s walk-off protest
15:33 , Mike JonesPape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch in protest to what was another soft decision against his Senegal side, initially keeping them on the touchline before dragging them into the dressing room. A handful of Morocco players remained in the box, waiting to take their potentially match-winning penalty as they consulted the referee.
In the midst of the mayhem, Senegal fans clashed with security as they tried to invade the pitch, with some seen being forcibly carried away. Senegal talisman Sadio Mane, however, stayed on the pitch in an act of defiance against his manager’s orders, with the former Liverpool winger clearly keen to get the match restarted. Yet with the Senegal team nowhere to be seen, the outcome of the final hung in the balance.
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
15:18 , Mike JonesSenegal have been crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions after one of the most chaotic and perplexing conclusions to a major final in football history.
After what had been a frantic but goalless game so far, the clash descended into carnage in second-half stoppage time after two controversial decisions against Senegal, the second being a last-gasp penalty for Morocco, led to manager Pape Thiaw dragging his team off the pitch and into the dressing room in protest.
Why did Senegal walk off versus Morocco? How one decision put Afcon final in meltdown
Morocco’s controversial penalty
14:53 , Mike JonesBrahim Diaz went down in the box under the challenge of left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, claiming he had been tugged to the ground by the West Ham man.
With Diaz vehemently protesting that he had been fouled, the incident was taken to VAR before the referee was called to the monitor.
Officials and players jostled with each other while the referee consulted the touchline screen and when the ref returned to the pitch to award a last-minute spot-kick, giving Morocco a golden chance to snatch Afcon glory, the final plunged into chaos.
Sadio Mane: 'I'd rather lose than this kind of thing happen to our football'
14:33 , Mike JonesSenegal talisman Sadio Mane said he had to act to prevent further damage to the “image” of football. Senegal are likely to face heavy sanctions for their protests and the former Morocco international Hassan Kachloul said “Africa football were losing” before Mane took action.
“Football is something special, the world was watching, the world loves football and I think football is a pleasure so we have to give a good image for football,” Mane said afterwards.
“I think it would be crazy to not play this game because what, the referee gave a penalty and we go out of the game? I think that would be the worst thing especially in African football. I'd rather lose than this kind of thing happen to our football.
"I think it's really bad. Football should not stop for even ten minutes but what can we do? We have to accept that we did but the good thing is that we came back and we played the game and what happened happened.”
Morocco and Senegal managers pulled apart at full time in dramatic AFCON final
14:12 , Mike JonesMorocco manager Walid Regragui and Senegal’s Papa Thiaw had to be separated after clashing at the full time whistle following a controversial Africa Cup of Nations finale on Sunday.
Thiaw had ordered his players off the field in protest at a Morocco penalty awarded in injury time, which was missed by Morocco’s Brahim Diaz after the Senegal team returned to the pitch around 20 minutes later. Senegal went to score in extra time, winning the match 1-0.
Relations between Thiaw and Regragui looked tense as the pair attempted to shake hands at the end of the match, with Thiaw appearing to push Regragui away before the coaches had to be separated.
Regragui later accused Thiaw of having brought shame on African football, calling the decider “a final with a Hitchcockian script”.
Missed penalty may have ruined Diaz's tournament
13:55 , Mike JonesNigeria legend John Obi Mikel was left fearing the impact the performance could have on the player, who has seen an otherwise fantastic Afcon campaign ruined.
“To do that it spoils everything Brahim Diaz has done well in this tournament. He is going to be devastated. This is going to be tough on him, for weeks, for months,” Mikel told E4.
“Again, it is a shame to see. Brahim Diaz has had a superb tournament. He scored five goals and he has been the star man. It is sad to see him do such a thing. Just put your foot through it.”
Wait didn't help Diaz before penalty says Regragui
13:39 , Mike JonesBrahim Diaz was made to wait before taking his penalty in the Afcon final stoppage time due to Senegal’s players leaving the pitch.
"He had a lot of time before taking the penalty which must have disturbed him," said Morocco manager Walid Regragui.
"But we can't change what happened. That is how he chose to take the penalty. We need to look forwards now."
Brahim Diaz in tears after disastrous ‘Panenka’ penalty costs Morocco Afcon final
13:23 , Will CastleBrahim Diaz was left in tears after his fluffed ‘Panenka’-style penalty cost Morocco their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 50 years in a chaotic final against Senegal.
The Real Madrid midfielder contentiously won the spot-kick deep into second-half stoppage time with the game still goalless, giving the Atlas Lions a golden opportunity to snatch the continental crown.
Brahim Diaz in tears after disastrous ‘Panenka’ penalty costs Morocco Afcon final
Regragui under pressure after Afcon defeat
13:04 , Mike JonesWalid Regragui is under pressure after Morocco’s defeat in the Afcon final, despite a 26-game unbeaten run since leading to the World Cup semi-finals.
“To win the Africa Cup is not easy,” he said. “We were very close and so everybody is disappointed but in football, you need to come back strong, you need to accept what has happened, you need to be humble and you need to work to do it, inshallah.”
Senegal felt 'injustice' which led to walk off
12:47 , Mike JonesPape Gueye, who scored the winner in the Afcon final, spoke of his “pride” in victory and explained why his Senegal teammates walked off the pitch during the game.
“What we felt was injustice. There had been a foul for us and the referee chose not to look at the VAR,” he said, trying to explain the walk-off.
“We were frustrated, but Sadio [Mane] told us to come back on the pitch to remobilise us. We all saw what happened at the end.
“We took the decision to come back on the pitch to give everything – which we did.”
Senegal gave ‘shamfeul image of Africa’ with Afcon walk-off protest, says Morocco coach
12:30 , Jamie BraidwoodMorocco head coach Walid Regragui called Senegal counter-part Pape Thiaw “shameful” after he led his players off the pitch in protest during a chaotic end to the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Senegal were angered by a controversial decision to award Morocco a penalty in the final minute of stoppage time and, fuelled by a sense of injustice, Thiaw called on his players to return to the dressing room.
Senegal gave ‘shamfeul image of Africa’ with Afcon walk-off, says Morocco coach
Senegal’s disallowed goal
12:14 , Mike JonesSenegal thought they had snatched victory at the death when Ismaila Sarr bundled the ball home in the second minute of stoppage time, heading home after Abdoulaye Seck saw his effort ricochet off the post.
However, the whistle went very quickly for a soft foul on Achraf Hakimi, who had been brushed off by Seck as the Paris Saint-Germain star tried to hinder the defender.
Pape Thiaw and the Senegal players were clearly outraged by the referee’s decision, which did not appear to receive much of a VAR check. The game swiftly got back underway with the score still goalless.
Morocco coach accuses Thiaw of bringing shame on African football
11:57 , Mike JonesMorocco coach Walid Regragui, accused Senegal’s manager Pape Thiaw of having brought shame on African football after what he termed “a final with a Hitchcockian script”.
Senegal’s head coach took his players off the pitch when Morocco were awarded a late penalty in the final but Sadio Mane convinced the players to return to the field.
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz then missed the penalty and Senegal went on to win in extra time.
“The image we’ve given of Africa is shameful. A coach who asks his players to leave the field … What Pape did does not honour Africa,” Regragui said.
“He had already started in the [pre-match] press conference. He wasn’t classy. But he is a champion, so he can say whatever he wants. We stopped the match in the eyes of the world for 10 minutes.
“We were one minute from being African champions. That’s football.
“It’s often cruel. We missed what for some was the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Morocco criticised over towel trick despite winning Afcon fair play award
11:39 , Mike JonesMorocco have been criticised by fans despite winning the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 fair play award after fans pointed out a towel trick used to unsettle Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the final.
The hosts lost 1-0 after extra time thanks to Pape Gueye’s extra-time strike in what descended into a volatile and controversial final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Morocco criticised over towel trick despite winning Afcon Fair Play Award
Kachloul praises Mane's impact
11:23 , Mike JonesFormer Morocco international, Hassan Kachloul, praised Sadio Mane’s impact on the Senegal players in getting the final back underway after they had left the pitch.
He told E4: “What I like more than anything, the only player from the Senegalese team was Sadio Mane. That shows the great man he is. He went back to the dressing room and brought those players back.
“Africa football was losing and world football was losing. Sadio Mane was the man to bring them back on.”
John Obi Mikel on Diaz's panenka
11:07 , Mike JonesFormer Nigeria captain, John Obi Mikel, spoke on E4 about Brahim Diaz and how he took the controversial penalty late in the game.
Diaz chipped his spot kick, styled as a panenka, into the arms of Edouard Mendy before Morocco went on to lose the game and the tournament.
“Again, it is a shame to see,” Mikel said
“Brahim Diaz has had a superb tournament. He scored five goals and he has been the star man.
“It is sad to see him do such a thing. Just put your foot through it.”
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
10:52 , Will CastleSenegal have been crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions after one of the most chaotic and perplexing conclusions to a major final in football history.
After what had been a frantic but goalless game so far, the clash descended into carnage in second-half stoppage time after two controversial decisions against Senegal, the second being a last-gasp penalty for Morocco, led to manager Pape Thiaw dragging his team off the pitch and into the dressing room in protest.
Senegal coach apologies for protest
10:36 , Mike JonesSenegal coach Pape Thiaw apologised for his actions in leading his team off the pitch after Morocco were awarded a controversial late penalty.
"After reflecting on it I made them come back (on the pitch) – you can react in the heat of the moment," Thiaw told BeIN Sports.
"We accept the errors of the referee. We shouldn’t have done it but it’s done and now we present our apologies to football."
Infantino condemns behaviour of Senegal players
10:23 , Mike JonesFifa president Gianni Infantino condemned the behaviour of Senegal players and members of the coaching staff saying violence and walk-offs had no place in football.
After congratulating Senegal on their title, Infantino said: “We also witnessed unacceptable scenes on the field and in the stands - we strongly condemn the behaviour of some supporters as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members.
“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right.
"We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play. Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game, because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.”
Mane explains why he ended Senegal's protest
10:22 , Mike Jones“Football is something special, the world was watching, the world loves football and I think football is a pleasure so we have to give a good image for football,” Sadio Mane said explained.
“I think it would be crazy to not play this game because what, the referee gave a penalty and we go out of the game? I think that would be the worst thing especially in African football. I'd rather lose than this kind of thing happen to our football.
"I think it's really bad. Football should not stop for even ten minutes but what can we do? We have to accept that we did but the good thing is that we came back and we played the game and what happened happened.”
CAF statement in full
10:15 , Mike Jones“The Confederation Africaine de Football (“CAF”) condemns the unacceptable behaviour of some players and officials during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat last night.
“CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers.
“CAF is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty.”
CAF issues statement on Afcon final chaos
10:12 , Mike JonesThe Confederation of African Football (CAF) has said it will review footage of the Afcon final and that disciplinary proceedings will follow, adding that it "condemns the unacceptable behaviour from some players and officials.”
The statement, which was released on Monday, continued: "CAF is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty."
Ugly scenes in the stands
10:07 , Luke BakerThings broke down not only on the pitch but in the stands as well last night. Fans scuffled with security amid the drama
Mendy insists 'football won' after Senegal's action 'in the heat of the moment'
09:50 , Will Castle"We're not going to talk in the heat of the moment. Things happened, but in the end what matters is that football won," Senegal goalkeeper Mendy said of the farcical scenes which saw Senegal coach Pape Thiaw order his players off the field and talisman Sadio Mane persuade them to return.
"Morocco has been waiting for this trophy for over 50 years. They had everything going for them, but we responded in our own way, and tonight we celebrate Senegal.
“We were determined to win this final, to bring the trophy home. Millions of Senegalese are happy, and we're going to enjoy this. We need to put this controversy behind us.”
Jon Obi Mikel fears impact farcical Afcon final will have on Diaz
09:35 , Jamie Braidwood“To do that it spoils everything Brahim Diaz has done well in this tournament. He is going to be devastated. This is going to be tough on him, for weeks, for months,” former Chelsea and Nigeria star Jon Obi Mike Mikel said on Channel 4.
“Again, it is a shame to see. Brahim Diaz has had a superb tournament. He scored five goals and he has been the star man. It is sad to see him do such a thing. Just put your foot through it.”
Penalty delay 'doesn’t excuse' Diaz's decision - Regragui
09:20 , Jamie BraidwoodMorocco coach Walid Regragui said the 15-minute delay before taking the penalty did not help Brahim Diaz - but was critical of the forward’s decision to try a ‘Panenka’ style penalty to win the Africa Cup of Nations final.
"But that doesn’t excuse Brahim for the way he hit the penalty. He hit it like that and we have to accept it. We were one minute from being African champions. That’s football. It’s often cruel. We missed what for some was the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Pape Gueye’s stunning winner
09:05 , Will CastleWith Diaz’s miss forcing the game to extra time, Thiaw's men, fuelled by a sense of injustice, regrouped and forced their way in front when Gueye surged forward and blasted a left-foot piledriver past Morocco goalkeeper Bono and in off the underside of the crossbar.
Bono later denied Cherif Ndiaye a second with a stunning double save and Gueye's contribution ultimately proved decisive.
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
08:50 , Will CastleDiaz’s ‘Panenka’ miss
Diaz, the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, stepped up to the plate in the 24th minute of stoppage time, with further delays coming about as goalkeeper Mendy persistently came off his line to speak to the Real Madrid midfielder, perhaps in a bid to put him off.
When Diaz eventually took the spot-kick, he inexplicably tried a ‘Panenka’-style chip and has weak penalty sailed tamely into the arms of Mendy, passing up on the opportunity to deliver Morocco a first Afcon title in 50 years. The reaction of the Senegal players - hardly celebrating before turning and running up the other end - raised the eyebrows of viewers.
Diaz was later shown in tears after the match and was completely dejected as he received his golden boot award from Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
08:35 , Will CastleSenegal return to the field
Mane ran into the dressing room to retrieve his players and after a 16-minute hiatus, the Senegal squad returned to the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium turf to allow Morocco to take their penalty. In what he says was his last ever Afcon match, Mane was evidently instrumental on getting his teammates back on the pitch, with Thiaw eventually giving in and similarly instructing his players to return.
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
08:20 , Will CastleSenegal’s walk-off protest
Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch in protest to what was another soft decision against his Senegal side, initially keeping them on the touchline before dragging them into the dressing room. A handful of Morocco players remained in the box, waiting to take their potentially match-winning penalty as they consulted the referee.
In the midst of the mayhem, Senegal fans clashed with security as they tried to invade the pitch, with some seen being forcibly carried away. Senegal talisman Mane, however, stayed on the pitch in an act of defiance against his manager’s orders, with the former Liverpool winger clearly keen to get the match restarted. Yet with the Senegal team nowhere to be seen, the outcome of the final hung in the balance.
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
08:05 , Will CastleMorocco’s controversial penalty
Three minutes later, Diaz went down in the box under the challenge of left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, claiming he had been tugged to the ground by the West Ham man. With Diaz vehemently protesting that he had been fouled, the incident was taken to VAR before Ndala was called to the monitor.
Officials and players jostled with each other while the referee consulted the touchline screen and when Ndala returned to the pitch to award a last-minute spot-kick, giving Morocco a golden chance to snatch Afcon glory, the final plunged into chaos.
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
07:50 , Jamie BraidwoodSenegal’s disallowed goal
Senegal thought they had snatched victory at the death when Ismaila Sarr bundled the ball home in the second minute of stoppage time, heading home after Abdoulaye Seck saw his effort ricochet off the post. However, the whistle went very quickly for a soft foul on Achraf Hakimi, who had been brushed off by Seck as the Paris Saint-Germain star tried to hinder the defender.
Thiaw and the Senegal players were clearly outraged by Ndala’s decision, which did not appear to receive much of a VAR check. The game swiftly got back underway with the score still goalless.
Sadio Mane: 'I'd rather lose than this kind of thing happen to our football'
07:35 , Jamie BraidwoodSenegal talisman Sadio Mane said he had to act to prevent further damage to the “image” of football. Senegal are likely to face heavy sanctions for their protests and the former Morocco international Hassan Kachloul said “Africa football were losing” before Mane took action.
“Football is something special, the world was watching, the world loves football and I think football is a pleasure so we have to give a good image for football,” Mane said afterwards.
“I think it would be crazy to not play this game because what, the referee gave a penalty and we go out of the game? I think that would be the worst thing especially in African football. I'd rather lose than this kind of thing happen to our football.
"I think it's really bad. Football should not stop for even ten minutes but what can we do? We have to accept that we did but the good thing is that we came back and we played the game and what happened happened.”
Morocco coach calls Senegal’s Pape Thiaw ‘shameful’ after leading Afcon final walk-off protest
07:20 , Jamie Braidwood“The image we’ve given of Africa is shameful,” Walid Regragui said during his post-match press conference. “A coach who asks his players to leave the field... What Pape [Thiaw] did does not honour Africa. He wasn’t classy. But he is a champion, so he can say whatever he wants.”
Pape Thiaw accepts Senegal made a mistake in leaving the pitch
07:05 , Jamie BraidwoodSenegal are likely to face a punishment for their actions, including their head coach. Pape Thiaw was jeered as he entered his post-match press conference in Rabat, but later accepted that Senegal had made the wrong decision.
“I apologise for football,” Thiaw said in a later interview with BeIN Sport. “After reflection, I had them come back. Sometimes, you can react in the heat of the moment. We shouldn't have done it but it's done and now we present our apologies to football.”
Senegal boss Pape Thiaw storms out of press conference after being jeered by Moroccan journalists
06:52 , Jamie BraidwoodSenegal coach Pape Thiaw was roundly jeered and then walked out of his scheduled post-match press conference as the drama of Sunday's contentious Africa Cup of Nations final continued well after the final whistle.
Thiaw ordered his players off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them before they returned to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time and win the trophy.
Thiaw had been expected to explain his decision at the post-match press conference but when he entered the room the coach was jeered by Moroccan journalists while their Senegalese counterparts clapped.
Senegal boss Thiaw storms out of press conference after being jeered by journalists
Sadio Mane praised after ending Senegal protest in chaotic Afcon final
06:41 , Jamie BraidwoodSadio Mane was praised for his role in avoiding further chaos at the Africa Cup of Nations final as the Senegal talisman convinced his team-mates to return to the pitch after Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty.
Senegal were angered when, deep into stoppage time, Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala after Brahim Diaz went down under the challenge of El Hadji Malick Diouf.
It was the second of two late decisions to go against Senegal, after Ismaila Sarr had a goal ruled out for a soft foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimin moments before, and the Teranga Lions were led off the pitch by head coach Pape Thiaw.
Sadio Mane praised after ending Senegal protest in chaotic Afcon final
Edouard Mendy explains Senegal walk-off but remains tight-lipped over Brahim Diaz conversation
06:40 , Jamie BraidwoodSenegal's decision to storm off the pitch during the Africa Cup of Nations final came in the heat of the moment but football won in the end, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy said following his side’s controversial Afcon final win.
Senegal left the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes before returning to beat the hosts with Pape Gueye's extra-time winner.
Mendy explains Senegal walk-off but remains tight-lipped over Diaz conversation
Brahim Diaz in tears after disastrous ‘Panenka’ penalty costs Morocco Afcon final
06:39 , Will CastleBrahim Diaz was left in tears after his fluffed ‘Panenka’-style penalty cost Morocco their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 50 years in a chaotic final against Senegal.
The Real Madrid midfielder contentiously won the spot-kick deep into second-half stoppage time with the game still goalless, giving the Atlas Lions a golden opportunity to snatch the continental crown.
However, Senegal responded to the VAR verdict by staging a walk-off in protest, with manager Pape Thiaw ordering his players back into the dressing room in a 16-minute hiatus.
Brahim Diaz in tears after disastrous ‘Panenka’ penalty costs Morocco Afcon final
Morocco coach calls Senegal’s Pape Thiaw ‘shameful’ after leading Afcon final walk-off protest
06:38 , Jamie BraidwoodMorocco head coach Walid Regragui called Senegal counter-part Pape Thiaw “shameful” after he led his players off the pitch in protest during a chaotic end to the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Senegal were angered by a controversial decision to award Morocco a penalty in the final minute of stoppage time and, fuelled by a sense of injustice, Thiaw called on his players to return to the dressing room.
After a delay of around 15 minutes, talisman Sadio Mane, who had remained on the field, convinced his team-mates to return to the pitch, where Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved Brahim Diaz’s ‘Panenka’ penalty.
Senegal went on to win their second Africa Cup of Nations title thanks to Pape Gueye’s goal in extra time, but the final and tournament was overshadowed by the chaos.
Morocco coach calls Senegal’s Thiaw ‘shameful’ after leading walk-off protest
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
06:36 , Will CastleSenegal have been crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions after one of the most chaotic and perplexing conclusions to a major final in football history.
After what had been a frantic but goalless game so far, the clash descended into carnage in second-half stoppage time after two controversial decisions against Senegal, the second being a last-gasp penalty for Morocco, led to manager Pape Thiaw dragging his team off the pitch and into the dressing room in protest.
Teranga Lions talisman Sadio Mane remained on the touchline before retrieving his team after a lengthy delay, with referee Jean-Jacques Ndala losing complete control of the match.
Brahim Diaz, who went down softly to win the spot-kick, then stepped up to take the penalty in the 24th minute of additional time, only to see his abysmal ‘Panenka’ attempt float into the arms of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, with the game therefore forced into extra time.
Pape Sarr went on to score the winner in stunning fashion for Senegal in the 94th minute, with his rocket of an effort proving the difference and denying the Atlas Lions a first Afcon title since 1976.
Here’s how it all unfolded.
