“I am very happy to win the final; it was a complicated match. After Morocco missed the penalty, we stayed focused, played our game, and showed Senegalese football.”
Those were the words of Pape Gueye moments after he etched his name into African football history, firing Senegal to a dramatic 1–0 victory over hosts Morocco after extra time in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 final in Rabat.
Gueye’s thunderous left-footed strike just three minutes into extra time proved decisive in a final defined by fine margins, nerve-shredding tension and elite goalkeeping at both ends. As the ball rocketed beyond Yassine Bounou and into the net, the Senegal bench erupted, while a stunned silence fell over a sold-out Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium that had dared to dream of a first home AFCON triumph in more than 50 years.
The final had been delicately poised long before that moment of brilliance. Morocco, desperate to end decades of continental frustration, came within inches of settling the contest in normal time. A late penalty, awarded after a VAR review, handed the Atlas Lions a golden opportunity, but Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy stood tall, denying Brahim Díaz and forcing the match into extra time.
From the opening whistle, the contest carried the weight of history. Senegal were chasing a second AFCON crown after their maiden success in 2021, while Morocco were determined to lift the trophy on home soil for the first time since 1976.
The Teranga Lions made the stronger start, imposing themselves early and asking questions of the Moroccan defence. Bounou was quickly called into action, first reacting superbly to deny Gueye’s close-range header from a corner before producing a fine one-on-one save to stop Iliman Ndiaye.
Morocco responded with growing confidence as the half wore on. Their best chance before the break came when Abdessamad Ezzalzouli whipped in a dangerous cross, only for Nayef Aguerd to narrowly miss the decisive touch at the far post.
After the interval, the hosts emerged with renewed urgency. Ayoub El Kaabi was presented with a gilt-edged chance when Bilal El Khannouss split the Senegal back line with a perfectly weighted pass, but the forward dragged his effort wide, much to the frustration of the home supporters.
Morocco dominated possession and territory, yet struggled to turn pressure into goals. Senegal, compact and disciplined, remained a constant threat on the counterattack. In the closing moments of regulation time, substitute Ibrahim Mbaye nearly stole it for Senegal, curling an effort towards the far corner before Bounou intervened again with a full-stretch save.
With the scores level after 90 minutes, extra time loomed — and Senegal wasted no time seizing their moment. A turnover in midfield sparked a swift move, Sadio Mané cleverly back-heeled the ball into the path of Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released Pape Gueye. Showing power, composure and belief, the midfielder surged forward and unleashed an unstoppable strike from the edge of the box.
Morocco threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. Díaz went close to atoning for his penalty miss, only to be denied again by Mendy, while Youssef En-Nesyri’s diving header flashed narrowly wide. At the other end, Senegal nearly doubled their advantage, but Bounou once more kept his side alive with a close-range save from Pape Cherif Ndiaye.
In the end, Senegal’s resilience, organisation and maturity carried them through. They defended their slender lead with authority, closing out a famous victory and securing a second AFCON title — a triumph that confirmed their status as one of Africa’s dominant footballing forces.
For Pape Gueye, named TotalEnergies Man of the Match, the night was unforgettable. “Scoring in a final is a moment of pride for me,” he said. “Most importantly, the Senegal national team now has a second star.”
Magnifique victoire, vraiment une performance remarquable de l’équipe sénégalaise!