Senegal on Sunday night stunned hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time to claim the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title in Rabat, in a final overshadowed by officiating controversies and high drama.

Pape Gueye struck the decisive blow in the 94th minute of extra time, unleashing a thunderous effort from outside the box into the top corner at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, silencing the home crowd and sealing Senegal’s triumph.

The final was a cagey and tense encounter between Africa’s two highest-ranked sides, with neither team willing to concede ground in regulation time.

The first half ended goalless, as both sides cancelled each other out in midfield and chances were kept to a minimum.

The second half appeared destined to finish 0–0 until controversy erupted, when the referee ruled out Ismaila Sarr’s header for an alleged foul on Achraf Hakimi, a decision that sparked protests from the Senegalese bench.

Moments later, in the 97th minute, Morocco were awarded a highly contentious penalty, triggering heated scenes that briefly saw Senegalese players walk off the pitch in protest. However, Brahim Diaz squandered the opportunity, his casual panenka weakly saved by Edouard Mendy.

With tempers still flaring, Gueye delivered the final twist in the first half of extra time, firing home a sublime left-footed strike to crush Moroccan hopes and hand Senegal a dramatic and controversial AFCON victory.