The Les Lions de la Teranga of Senegal have won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 following a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over host Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday.
The Senegal national team had stormed off the pitch in added time following a penalty award to Morocco in the closing minutes. Sadio Mane and his teammates were seen protesting the award of the controversial penalty awarded Morocco in the eighth minute of added time.
The 2021 African Cup of Nations champion almost put the final beyond doubt when Cherif Ndiaye found space inside the box, first forcing a fine save from the Moroccan goalkeeper before narrowly dragging the rebound wide of the post — a huge let-off for the hosts.
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Desite the goal from Senegal, Morocco continues to pile on pressure through set-pieces, but unfortunately for them the former Chelsea goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy remains commanding, rising confidently to claim crosses and repel danger. With time ticking away, Senegal are defending deep, Morocco is throwing everything forward, and the AFCON final is heading towards a dramatic conclusion.
Notwithstanding, the Moroccan side came agonisingly close to forcing an equaliser early in the second period of extra time. From a corner, Nayef Aguerd rises highest near the penalty spot and thunders a header that crashes off the crossbar — the closest the hosts have come to rescuing the final.
The Paris Saints Germain wingback, pinpointed as one the best right back in the world, Achraf Hakimi and Ilias Akhomach continue to deliver dangerous set-pieces as Morocco push relentlessly, while Senegal respond with a change of their own, introducing Ismail Jakobs to shore up the left side.
And the African Cup of Nations final ended with one goal scored by P. Gueye in the 94 minutes, during the extra time of the match.
Upon the conclusion of the 2025 AFCON, it is said that the former Liverpool playmaker, Sadio Mané was named Player of the Tournament at the Africa Cup of Nations awards ceremony after the Teranga Lions’ dramatic triumph, while Morocco’s Brahim Díaz won the Golden Boot as top scorer and Yassine Bounou took the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper.
