Senegal Shocks Morocco in Chaotic AFCON Final as Referee Blunders Steal the Spotlight
Pape Gueye's powerful strike during extra time secured Senegal a tight 1–0 win against host nation Morocco on Sunday, though this year's Africa Cup of Nations final will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
This tournament has been a commendable AFCON edition. Despite the modern stadiums, spectacular goals and displays of African football excellence, the only criticism has been the absence of major surprises.
Nobody could have anticipated the shocking events that transpired in Rabat.
Following 97 scoreless minutes, Real Madrid's Brahim Díaz collapsed to the ground claiming a foul. Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo initially allowed play to continue, and like most of the 68,000 spectators packed into the thunderous atmosphere of Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, he saw no infringement. Nevertheless, VAR detected a pull from El Hadji Malick Diouf on Morocco's star striker while defending a corner kick.
The contact wasn't particularly severe, but spot kicks have been awarded for much less in the VAR era. Pape Thiaw disagreed strongly. Senegal's coach withdrew his players from the field in an extraordinary display of protest.
Throughout a tournament that has simmered with whispers of allegedly favorable officiating decisions for the home team, Thiaw's explosive anger was amplified by the decision to rule out what Senegal believed was the opening goal from Ismaïla Sarr in the 92nd minute.
Abdoulaye Seck was deemed to have fouled Achraf Hakimi in the buildup, placing both hands on the Paris Saint-Germain defender's chest with barely more contact than Díaz had experienced. However, unlike the penalty situation, VAR had no authority as the referee had blown his whistle well before Sarr headed the ball past Yassine Bounou.
Senegal captain Sadio Mané remained the only representative of his country on the field while his teammates retreated to the locker room. As the possibility of a forfeit lingered in the air like a toxic cloud, the former Liverpool star eventually persuaded his countrymen to return and face their destiny. An incredible 15 minutes and 25 seconds after the referee had navigated through a crowd of players surrounding the VAR monitor to initially award the penalty, the spot kick was finally taken.
In a ridiculous turn of events, Díaz attempted to chip his shot down the center of the goal. Edouard Mendy anticipated the Panenka attempt, catching the ball to spread amazement throughout the stadium, continent and beyond.
Morocco's dreams of ending their 50-year AFCON drought were crushed by that dreadful penalty. As coach Walid Regragui scolded Díaz after the final whistle, Senegal certainly gained momentum.
Pape Gueye required only four minutes of extra time to deliver the decisive blow. Mané pounced on a poor touch from the unfortunate Neil El Aynaoui, rolling the ball back before it found its way to Gueye's feet. Shielding off Hakimi as he advanced toward goal, the Villarreal midfielder hammered a fierce shot off the underside of the crossbar to quiet the chorus of boos.
Youssef En-Nesyri would fire wide as the hosts desperately pushed forward seeking an equalizer while Nayef Aguerd smashed a header against the crossbar. But it wasn't meant to be on an unforgettable evening.
This was always destined to be a close contest. Most finals are desperately tense battles to avoid losing rather than secure victory and this reality has been painfully evident in AFCON's recent title matches. This marked the 10th final of the last 13 in this tournament to finish either scoreless or 1–0.
Dramatic Finale
Dramatic Finale
Senegal vs. Morocco Player Ratings
Senegal vs. Morocco Player Ratings
*Ratings provided by FotMob*
Senegal (4-3-3)
Senegal (4-3-3)
Player | Rating (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
GK: Edouard Mendy | 8.6 |
RB: Antoine Mendy | 6.9 |
CB: Mamadou Sarr | 6.8 |
CB: Moussa Niakhaté | 7.4 |
LB: El Hadji Malick Diouf | 7.2 |
CM: Lamine Camara | 7.0 |
CM: Idrissa Gana Gueye | 8.1 |
CM: Pape Gueye | 8.3 |
RW: Iliman Ndiaye | 6.6 |
ST: Nicolas Jackson | 6.6 |
LW: Sadio Mané | 7.5 |
SUB: Abdoulaye Seck (77' for Mendy) | 6.5 |
SUB: Ismaïla Sarr (77' for Ndiaye) | 6.4 |
SUB: Ibrahim Mbaye (77' for Camara) | 6.7 |
SUB: Cherif Ndiaye (90+3' for Jackson) | 5.9 |
SUB: Ismail Jakobs (106' for Diouf) | 6.3 |
Subs not used: Mory Diaw (GK), Yehvann Diouf (GK), Mamadou Lamine Camara, Ousseynou Niang, Pape Sarr, Pathé Ciss, Boulaye Dia, Cheikh Sabaly, Habib Diallo.
Morocco (4-3-3)
Morocco (4-3-3)
Player | Rating (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
GK: Yassine Bounou | 7.8 |
RB: Achraf Hakimi | 7.1 |
CB: Nayef Aguerd | 6.4 |
CB: Adam Masina | 6.7 |
LB: Noussair Mazraoui | 7.3 |
CM: Bilal El Khannouss | 6.5 |
CM: Neil El Aynaoui | 5.4 |
CM: Ismael Saibari | 6.3 |
RW: Brahim Díaz | 6.5 |
ST: Ayoub El Kaabi | 6.1 |
LW: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli | 7.1 |
SUB: Youssef En-Nesyri (80' for El Kaabi) | 6.5 |
SUB: Oussama Targhalline (80' for El Khannouss) | 5.7 |
SUB: Jawad El Yamiq (89' for Masin) | 6.7 |
SUB: Anass Salah-Eddine (90+4' for Saibari) | 7.1 |
SUB: Ilias Akhomach (98' for Díaz) | 6.5 |
SUB: Hamza Igamane (98' for Mazraoui) | N/A |
Subs not used: El Mehdi Al Harrar (GK), Munir (GK), Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Mohamed Chibi, Romain Saiss, Youssef Belammari, Sofyan Amrabat, Chemsdine Talbi, Soufiane Rahimi.