Senegal Stun Morocco to Win Africa Cup of Nations Despite Walk-Off Chaos
In one of the most bizarre finals in African Cup of Nations history, Senegal emerged victorious over Morocco despite a walk-off protest by their players and team staff. The win marked Senegal's second Cup of Nations title, their first since 2002.
The drama unfolded in injury time when Abdoulaye Seck was penalized for pushing Achraf Hakimi, resulting in a goal for Morocco. However, the whistle had already blown, and Senegal players took to the pitch in protest, claiming there was a conspiracy against them. The majority of the team stormed off, with Sadio Mané being the last to leave.
The tension continued when El Hadji Malick Diouf was penalized for pulling on Brahim Díaz as he defended a corner, prompting Senegal's coach Claude Le Roy to intervene and persuade the players to return to the pitch. In the chaos, the advertising boards in front of the Senegal fans collapsed.
Morocco had come close to scoring again when Neil El Aynaoui's header was blocked by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. However, it was Pape Gueye who ultimately sealed the win with a stunning goal in the 96th minute, pouncing on a loose ball and firing into the top corner.
The match had been a slow-burning affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Morocco's Ayoub El Kaabi missed a glorious opportunity to score, but the game remained level until the final penalty was awarded against Senegal for a Seck push on Hakimi.
Brahim Díaz stepped up to take the penalty, but instead of scoring, he duffed it straight at Mendy, who caught it easily. The Moroccan player looked stunned and disappointed, while Senegal players erupted in celebration.
The match highlighted concerns about refereeing decisions throughout the tournament, with some suggesting that Morocco had benefited from favorable calls in previous rounds. However, on this occasion, Senegal's protest was seen as unjustified, and they were ultimately punished for their walk-off.
Despite the controversy, Senegal's win marked a historic moment for African football. The team's victory will be remembered for years to come, not just because of their triumph but also due to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding it.
In one of the most bizarre finals in African Cup of Nations history, Senegal emerged victorious over Morocco despite a walk-off protest by their players and team staff. The win marked Senegal's second Cup of Nations title, their first since 2002.
The drama unfolded in injury time when Abdoulaye Seck was penalized for pushing Achraf Hakimi, resulting in a goal for Morocco. However, the whistle had already blown, and Senegal players took to the pitch in protest, claiming there was a conspiracy against them. The majority of the team stormed off, with Sadio Mané being the last to leave.
The tension continued when El Hadji Malick Diouf was penalized for pulling on Brahim Díaz as he defended a corner, prompting Senegal's coach Claude Le Roy to intervene and persuade the players to return to the pitch. In the chaos, the advertising boards in front of the Senegal fans collapsed.
Morocco had come close to scoring again when Neil El Aynaoui's header was blocked by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. However, it was Pape Gueye who ultimately sealed the win with a stunning goal in the 96th minute, pouncing on a loose ball and firing into the top corner.
The match had been a slow-burning affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Morocco's Ayoub El Kaabi missed a glorious opportunity to score, but the game remained level until the final penalty was awarded against Senegal for a Seck push on Hakimi.
Brahim Díaz stepped up to take the penalty, but instead of scoring, he duffed it straight at Mendy, who caught it easily. The Moroccan player looked stunned and disappointed, while Senegal players erupted in celebration.
The match highlighted concerns about refereeing decisions throughout the tournament, with some suggesting that Morocco had benefited from favorable calls in previous rounds. However, on this occasion, Senegal's protest was seen as unjustified, and they were ultimately punished for their walk-off.
Despite the controversy, Senegal's win marked a historic moment for African football. The team's victory will be remembered for years to come, not just because of their triumph but also due to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding it.
! I mean, I've seen some crazy finals in my day, but this one takes the cake... or should I say, the African Cup of Nations trophy? 
Senegal's walk-off protest was absolutely mental 
. I get that they were upset about the call, but to just storm off like that? It's not exactly the most sporting thing to do 
.
. And don't even get me started on the advertising boards collapsing in front of Senegal's fans... that was just ridiculous 
.
. I mean, who scores a winner in the 96th minute? Only Pape Gueye, apparently 
.
. I'm still trying to process everything that happened. Maybe after a few more beers, I'll get my head around it 
.
Senegal's win is insane 
! I was on the edge of my seat during that walk-off drama 
, but it was clear that Morocco had gotten away with some dodgy calls 
. The players' protest was super dramatic 
, but in hindsight, it was probably not justified 
. Still, that last-minute goal by Pape Gueye 
was pure magic 
! And can we talk about the advertising boards collapsing 
and their second Cup of Nations title 
. Anyway, Pape Gueye's goal at 96 minutes was absolute madness 
️
That Moroccan team put on a good fight though, Ayoub El Kaabi had some great chances... maybe next time 
. The controversy surrounding the walk-off protest is still a bit of an oddity to me, but at least they made it memorable 
. That walk-off protest was kinda wild though 
, I don't think a conspiracy is gonna save you now Senegal 
. On a serious note, refereeing decisions can be hella sketchy sometimes 
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senegal is like the ultimate underdogs after all those years and now they're holding that trophy 
sadio mané was literally on fire 
i think morocco was expecting to win it but senegal just came at them with everything they had 
? He saved so many chances for Morocco and sealed their win with that stunning shot. Congrats to Senegal on their second Cup of Nations title 
of this tournament
! I mean, who saw that coming? Senegal totally deserved that win tho, they played so much better than Morocco all game 
. The walk-off protest was just ridiculous, no need to resort to drama like that 
. Édouard Mendy is a total legend for saving that penalty though 
! This win will go down in history as one of the craziest finals ever played 
. And what's with all these conspiracy theories? Can't they just take their medicine and move on? 
.
. and yeah, refereeing decisions have been a bit wonky throughout this tournament 
. but hey, at least senegal came out on top in the end 
. All that drama with the walk-off and protest... it was like something out of a movie 
. They had some great chances, but Senegal just edged it out.
. The passion, the excitement... it's what makes football so special 
. And for Senegal to win like this? Unbelievable 
. They'll be talking about this one for years to come 
.
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. At least Pape Gueye scored an amazing goal in the 96th minute to seal the win 
i love how sadio mané was the last one to leave but still it was chaotic 
And can we talk about how much drama those advertising boards took down when Senegal players stormed off?