Senegal have been crowned champions of Africa for the second time after a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in a final defined by a chaotic 17-minute standoff.
The match took a turn for the surreal in stoppage time when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a late penalty via VAR.
The decision sparked a near-riot; Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest while fans clashed with security in the stands.
When play finally resumed, Morocco’s Brahim Diaz had the chance to end his country’s 50-year trophy drought with the final kick of normal time. However, his attempted “Panenka” chip backfired spectacularly, landing straight in the arms of a stationary Edouard Mendy.
Four minutes into extra time, Pape Gueye struck a thunderous left-footed rocket off the underside of the crossbar to seal the win.
The hosts hit the woodwork through Nayef Aguerd but could not find an equalizer, becoming the first home nation to lose an AFCON final in nearly two decades.
In what is expected to be his final AFCON, Sadio Mane was named Player of the Match and hoisted the trophy amidst a heavy police presence in the stadium.
While Senegal celebrates a historic defense of their title, the “unsavoury scenes” and security breaches serve as a controversial backdrop for Morocco as they prepare to co-host the 2030 World Cup.
