Senegal lift Africa Cup of Nations after chaotic final | OneFootball

Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the extra time of a controversy-marred final to lift the Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat. Pape Gueye scored the only goal of the game in the 94th minute.

Everton’s Idrissa Gana Gueye captained the Lions of Teranga in the absence of the suspended Kalidou Koulibaly while Iliman Ndiaye played 77 minutes in the final. The club also lit up the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the colours of the Senegal national flag in order to pay their tribute to Gueye and Ndiaye.

The finale had its fair share of late drama with Ismaïla Sarr’s goal wrongly disallowed for Abdoulaye Seck’s slight push on Achraf Hakimi in the buildup to the goal. To make matters worse, hosts Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty by VAR.

It led to a melee between the two teams’ players and staff, which also bled into the stands as Senegalese supporters attempted to confront the Moroccan delegation and riot police was deployed, leading to violence.

Senegal walked off the pitch for 10 minutes in protest but Brahim Diaz’s ensuing panenka attempt was easily stopped by Edouard Mendy, forcing extra-time.

Gueye’s thunderous strike four minutes into extra-time fired Senegal ahead and it was enough for them to secure their second AFCON crown.