Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations title after defeating host Morocco 1-0 after extra time on Sunday in a dramatic final played at a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Bab Gaye scored early in the first period of extra time to decide the match after 90 minutes ended scoreless, denying Morocco a first continental title since 1976.
Morocco, coached by Walid Regragui, started with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou behind a defense led by Achraf Hakimi and Nayef Aguerd, while Senegal relied on its physical presence and quick transitions to trouble the hosts throughout the match.
Senegal came close to opening the scoring inside the first five minutes from a corner kick, but Bounou reacted sharply to keep the ball out. The Moroccan goalkeeper was again decisive in the 38th minute, blocking a close-range effort from Lamine Ndiaye in a one-on-one situation.
Morocco responded late in the first half when Abdessamad Ezzalzouli delivered a cross that Aguerd headed just wide. The teams went into halftime locked in a scoreless draw after a tightly contested opening period marked by heavy midfield battles.
The hosts pushed forward after the break and created their best chances through Ayoub El Kaabi. The striker missed a clear opportunity in the 58th minute when he fired wide after being played through by Bilal El Khannouss, then saw another effort blocked moments later following a move initiated by Brahim Diaz.
Tempers flared and the crowd roared in the 66th minute when midfielder Neil El Aynaoui suffered a bloody head injury in an aerial duel but insisted on continuing after receiving treatment.
Senegal thought it had scored in stoppage time when it converted from a corner, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Hakimi. Shortly afterward, Morocco was awarded a penalty following a video review after Diaz was brought down in the area. Diaz attempted a chipped “Panenka” kick, but Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy read it perfectly and made the save, sending the final into extra time.
Senegal struck the decisive blow in the 94th minute, when Gaye finished off a swift counterattack with a low shot past Bounou. Morocco pressed desperately for an equalizer, forcing Mendy into several late saves, while Senegal missed a chance to double its lead when it failed to score into an open net in the second period of extra time.
The final whistle confirmed Senegal’s second Africa Cup of Nations title, while Morocco was left to rue missed chances in front of a home crowd of more than 66,000 spectators.
Morocco had reached the final after defeating Tanzania, Cameroon and Nigeria in the knockout stages, while Senegal advanced by edging Egypt in the semifinals.
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