Senegal Clinch Second AFCON Title With Extra-Time Victory Over Morocco in Rabat
Senegal have been crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 1–0 victory over hosts Morocco in the final played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday night.
The decisive strike came in the 94th minute of extra time when midfielder Pape Gueye found the back of the net to settle a tense and closely contested final that had remained goalless through 90 minutes of regulation play.
The triumph marks Senegal’s second AFCON title, following their maiden victory at the 2021 edition held in Cameroon, where they defeated Egypt on penalties. The West African nation has now firmly established itself among the continent’s leading football powers, reaching the final for the third time in four tournaments.
The final was punctuated by prolonged stoppages and late drama following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR)-reviewed penalty awarded to Morocco deep into regulation time. The spot-kick was entrusted to Brahim Diaz, but the Real Madrid forward saw his effort saved by Senegal’s experienced goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, preserving the deadlock and forcing the match into extra time.
Despite sustained pressure from the hosts in front of a capacity crowd eager to see Morocco claim their second continental title—48 years after their first triumph in 1976—Senegal’s defence held firm. The North Africans, who last lifted the trophy on home soil in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, were left to rue missed opportunities as Gueye’s late intervention sealed their fate.
Nigeria finished third in the tournament after defeating their semi-final conquerors in the third-place playoff, continuing the Super Eagles’ tradition of strong performances at continental level despite falling short of the final.
Following the conclusion of the tournament, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the official list of individual award winners, with several standout performers recognised for their contributions throughout the competition.
Senegal’s Sadio Mané was named Player of the Tournament, capping a stellar campaign in which the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward scored two goals and delivered key performances in critical moments. Mané, who also played a pivotal role in Senegal’s 2021 AFCON success, continues to be a central figure in the national team’s resurgence on the continental stage.
Read Also: Super Eagles Pocket N3.56bn After AFCON Bronze Finish In Casablanca
Morocco’s Yassine Bounou was awarded the Best Goalkeeper accolade following a series of commanding displays between the posts. The Al-Hilal shot-stopper, who also starred for Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, was instrumental in guiding the Atlas Lions to the final with several crucial saves throughout the knockout rounds.
The Golden Boot for the tournament’s top scorer went to Morocco’s Brahim Diaz, who netted five goals across seven matches. Despite missing the decisive penalty in the final, the 25-year-old attacker was a consistent threat and finished as the competition’s most prolific forward.
Morocco also received the Fair Play Award in recognition of their conduct and discipline throughout the tournament, despite the disappointment of losing the final on home soil. The recognition reflects the team’s adherence to the spirit of the game amid intense pressure and expectation from a passionate home support.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted across multiple Moroccan cities, delivered a month of compelling football marked by tactical battles, individual brilliance, and moments of high drama. The tournament reinforced the growing competitiveness of African football, with traditional powers and emerging nations alike displaying quality and ambition on the continental stage.
Read Also: AFCON Final Chaos As Senegal Shock Morocco In Extra Time To Seal Second Title
Senegal’s victory extends their impressive record in major tournaments under the current generation of players, many of whom ply their trade at Europe’s elite clubs. The triumph is expected to further galvanise the nation’s football development programmes and inspire a new wave of talent across West Africa.
For Morocco, the defeat represents a painful conclusion to a tournament that had generated widespread excitement and optimism across the nation. The Atlas Lions’ journey to the final, however, underscored their status as one of the continent’s most formidable teams, building on their historic semi-final appearance at the 2022 World Cup.
The 2025 AFCON now joins the annals of African football history as a tournament defined by resilience, drama, and the enduring appeal of continental competition.