Senegal Triumphs Amid Controversy at Africa Cup of Nations Final

Tue Jan 20 2026 00:30:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Africa Cup of Nations final witnessed chaos as Senegal won against Morocco, overshadowed by a penalty decision that momentarily halted play.

In a dramatic turn of events during the Africa Cup of Nations final, Senegal claimed their second title against Morocco. However, the match was marred by controversy as Senegal's players protested a late penalty decision, leading to a temporary walk-off and heated reactions from both sides. Referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded the penalty after consulting VAR, triggering significant unrest among Senegal's players and supporters. After a lengthy delay, Senegal returned to the pitch, ultimately securing victory with a last-minute goal from Pape Gueye. This event raised concerns about the conduct within African football and led to strong reactions from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football regarding the hostile atmosphere.

Senegal Triumphs Amid Controversy at Africa Cup of Nations Final

Senegal beat Morocco to win the Africa Cup of Nations for a second time—yet the victory was overshadowed by chaos when they briefly refused to play after a controversial stoppage-time penalty was awarded to the hosts with the match scoreless.

The referee, Jean Jacques Ndala, called for a penalty in the 98th minute following a VAR review of defender El Hadji Malick Diouf's challenge on Brahim Diaz. As tensions escalated, Senegal's head coach Pape Thiaw protested against Ndala’s decision, leading his team off the field.

Despite the commotion, Sadio Mane remained on the pitch, urging his teammates to continue. After a 17-minute delay, the Senegal players agreed to return to the game.

Diaz, the tournament's top scorer, stepped up to take the penalty, but his weak attempt was easily saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, sealing a dramatic performance as the game concluded with full-time whistle immediately after.

Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye later scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time, securing Senegal's second triumph in five years. In the post-match press briefing, Morocco's coach Walid Regragui called Senegal's actions 'shameful,' claiming they dishonored Africa.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the incidents during the match, labeling them 'ugly scenes' and reiterating that respect for match officials is paramount to the integrity of football.

Thiaw later expressed regret for his decision to withdraw the team, acknowledging the heat of the moment but voicing the necessity for composure in such critical moments. He stated, 'We accept the errors of the referee... we shouldn’t have done it but it’s done and now we present our apologies to football.'

As the atmosphere at the stadium became tumultuous following the penalty decision—with some supporters throwing items and charging the field—an image emerged of Senegal going down the tunnel in disbelief. Commentators remarked how such incidents reflect poorly on the tournament, despite it showcasing significant potential for the growth of African football.

Consequently, Gianni Infantino and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) expressed their disappointment over the behavior exhibited during the finale, calling for appropriate measures against any misconduct in future events. Senegal's pre-final concerns regarding the treatment of their players and logistics added to the tension that eventually led to the chaos witnessed.

Former footballers voiced their disappointment over the events, emphasizing the need for players to respect the decisions made on the pitch regardless of grievances. Mane emphasized the need for positive representation of African football, stating, 'I think it would be crazy not to play this game because of a penalty... we have to accept what we did, but we can be proud of how we returned to play.'