AFCON: Nicolas Jackson’s Senegal crowned champions after controversial finale | OneFootball

Nicolas Jackson’s Senegal won the African Cup of Nations after a dramatic extra-time win over hosts Morocco. The Bayern Munich striker added the continent’s biggest silverware to last season’s Europa Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs with Chelsea.

After scoring in the semi-final penalty shootout against Nigeria, Bayer Leverkusen’s attacker Eliesse Ben Seghir had to sit out the final due to injury. Meanwhile, Senegal were missing Kalidou Koulibaly and Habib Diarra due to suspension after their hard-fought semi-final victory over Egypt.

And they dealt with another blow in the warmup as Krepin Diatta suffered an injury that ruled him out of the game. However, they had the better chances in a tense first-half encounter.

Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss created Morocco’s first big chance early after the restart, but Ayoub El Kaabi failed to beat Edouard Mendy from close range. The hosts dominated the second-half, but they seemed to be heading for yet another extra-time until the controversial scenes in injury-time.

First, Senegal’s goal from set-piece play was chalked off for a foul in the buildup. Then, in what was going to be the last action of the regular time, Brahim Diaz won a penalty-kick after a tussle following a corner-kick.

Senegal decided to enter the dressing room as a bizarre incident of disapproval before former Bayern Munich winger Saido Mané instructed the players to return to the pitch after he was seen discussing with ex-Senegal boss Claude Le Roy, a highly-respected former coach in African football since winning the 1988 AFCON with Cameroon on Morocco soil.

The drama didn’t end there as Diaz’s abysmal attempt at chipping Mendy proved unsuccessful. Pape Gueye scored Senegal’s winner in a highly entertaining extra-time before both Mendy and Bono made some great saves. It’s the second time Senegal have been crowned as African champions, with their maiden success also coming after a dramatic final against Egypt five years ago. Mané won the "Best Player of the Tournament" on both occasions.

Jackson was substituted minutes before the controversial penalty-kick incident. Diaz finished as the top scorer, although the Real Madrid midfielder ended the tournament in tears while Moroccan fans booed him during the ceremony where he received the golden boot.