Rabat, Morocco – In a final that delivered an almost unbearable crescendo of tension, controversy, and sheer brilliance, the Lions of Teranga stand tall once more. Senegal are the champions of Africa for the second consecutive time after a monumental 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in a TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations final that was decided deep into extra time by a moment of individual magic.
The decisive moment came after 93 gruelling minutes when, with the spectre of penalties looming, Senegal’s Pape Gueye delivered a strike worthy of winning any final. Collecting the ball on the edge of a crowded penalty area, he danced past two challenges before unleashing an unstoppable shot that arced into the top right corner of the net, leaving Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou utterly helpless.
This victory, etched in drama until the final second, confirms Senegal’s place at the summit of African football and marks the successful defence of the title they won in Cameroon three years ago.
The Narrative of the Night: Resilience Against the Roar
The match unfolded as a classic battle of resilience versus relentless pressure. From the first whistle, the contest was played at a ferocious intensity, with both sides demonstrating why they were the last two standing in a tournament hailed for its elevated quality.
Morocco, roared on by a passionate home crowd at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, finished the first half strongly. They pinned Senegal back with a succession of late corners, but the Senegalese defence, marshalled superbly by the experienced Kalidou Koulibaly, held firm to reach the interval on level terms.
The hosts’ pressure only intensified after the break. Moroccan forwards Youssef En-Nesyri and Abde Ezzalzouli repeatedly tested the resolve of Senegal’s back line, with En-Nesyri seeing a powerful header drift agonisingly wide. Yet, the Lions of Teranga, embodying the composure of champions, absorbed the onslaught and waited for their moment.
The Turning Point: Mendy’s Penalty Heroics
The path to victory was nearly derailed in the most dramatic fashion possible. Deep into second-half stoppage time, after a lengthy consultation with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the referee pointed to the penalty spot for a foul committed by Senegal.
With the weight of a host nation upon him, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz stepped up, only to be denied by an outstretched leg from Senegal’s goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy. The save sparked wild celebrations on the Senegalese bench and sent the final into extra time, irrevocably shifting the momentum.
Morocco came within inches of an equaliser shortly after Gueye’s goal, when defender Nayef Aguerd saw his thunderous header crash against the crossbar. That moment, coupled with Mendy’s earlier heroics, cemented the Chelsea goalkeeper’s status as the immovable object at the heart of Senegal’s triumph.
A Tournament That “Raised the Bar”
Beyond the ninety minutes, this final served as a fitting conclusion to an AFCON tournament that has been widely praised for its excellence. In its closing commentary, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stated that “Morocco 2025 will be remembered as a tournament that raised the bar in every possible way,” citing world-class facilities, seamless organisation, and a standard of football that combined “athleticism with intelligence, creativity with discipline.”
For Senegal, the victory is more than just a trophy. It is the confirmation of a golden generation, a team built on defensive solidity, tactical intelligence, and the explosive talent of stars like Sadio Mané and the match-winner Pape Gueye. For Morocco, there is the bitter pain of falling short on home soil, yet their journey to the final, marked by courage and quality, earned the admiration of the continent.
As the celebrations begin in Dakar and the reflections start in Rabat, African football crowns a worthy champion. Senegal’s name is once again engraved on the continent’s most prestigious prize, secured through a performance of nerve, skill, and undeniable heart.
