A Pride Trophy for Senegal

RABAT, MONDAY – Senegal proudly holds its second Africa Cup trophy. Despite being overshadowed by several biased referee decisions, the "Teranga Lions" displayed excellent quality to conquer Morocco, the host team, 1-0, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, on Monday (19/1/2026) early morning WIB.

The biggest controversy in the history of the Africa Cup final occurred in Rabat. The match was halted for nearly 20 minutes during the second half's extra time. Senegalese players left the field to protest two controversial referee decisions that occurred within two minutes of each other.

Senegal managed to score through a header by midfielder Ismaila Sarr in the 90+2 minute. However, the referee from Congo, Jean-Jacques Ndala, disallowed the goal, considering there was a foul against a Moroccan player during the process of the goal.

Two minutes later, precisely at 90+4, Ndala pointed to the white spot due to a pull by Senegalese defender, El Hadji Malick Diouf, on Moroccan winger, Brahim Diaz. This situation ignited the disappointment of the players, officials, and supporters of Senegal.

A total of 11 key players from Senegal on the field headed to their technical area on the sidelines due to their reluctance to continue the match. On the other hand, the away team's supporters threw several items, including photographer chairs, onto the field.

The chaotic situation led several Moroccan police officers to enter the field. They attempted to anticipate the escalating unrest among the visiting team's supporters.

When the match began showing 90+24, Diaz failed to execute the penalty that was worth the championship title of the Africa Cup for his country. The trophy that ended a 50-year drought for the Africa Cup title.

The penalty shot executed in the Panenka style, directing the ball to the center of the field, ended in despair for Diaz and the Moroccan supporters. The ball was anticipated by Senegal's goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.

A tragic situation envelops Morocco during the extra time. Senegal scored the only goal in the final match of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations through a powerful left-footed shot by midfielder Pape Gueye in the 94th minute. The ball struck the left side of the goal defended by Yassine Bounou. This was the second goal conceded by Bounou in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

"Alhamdulillah, we were able to win this final match. This victory is not just for us. This achievement is to be celebrated by the entire Senegalese community," said Idrissa Gueye, the captain of Senegal in the final match.

When asked about the action of leaving the field at the end of the second half, Gueye stated that they were trying to calm themselves and ultimately agreed to return to the pitch amid an unfavorable situation.

"We respect the penalty decision. The referee used VAR, which still did not favor us. We are glad they failed to score," said Gueye, who is 36 years old, making him the oldest player in that final match.

Winning the Africa Cup for the second time in four years underscores the best generation for Senegalese football. The collection of top players from the Teranga Lions is led by four senior players who also contributed to the Africa Cup edition of 2021.

They are Idrissa Gueye, Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Mendy. Another player who appeared in both Africa Cup of Nations finals is Ismaila Sarr.

In the final in Rabat, Koulibaly did not play due to an injury sustained in the semifinal match. Nevertheless, his leadership was still evident from the sidelines.

During the trophy presentation ceremony, President of the Confederation of African Football Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino handed the Africa Cup trophy to Koulibaly, who serves as the captain of the Teranga Lions. However, it was not the player from the Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal, who lifted the trophy in front of the Senegal squad.

He invited three other senior Senegalese players, namely Mane, Gueye, and Mendy, to lift the championship trophy together. Ultimately, however, Mane was urged by three other teammates to raise the trophy for the first time into the air, accompanied by a shower of confetti.

"We played with heart, passion, and a great hunger to win. We are proud to have won this trophy," said Pape Gueye, who was named the best player in the final match.

The match in Rabat was highly intense. Both teams shared a balanced duration of ball possession. Major attacks alternated between the two African teams ranked highest in the current FIFA rankings. Senegal is in 19th place, while Morocco is in 11th place.

Although producing fewer shots with 14 attempts, the Teranga Lions created seven shots on target. Meanwhile, Morocco managed to create only three shots on goal from 20 attempts.

The goalkeepers of both teams performed exceptionally well. Mendy recorded three saves, including a crucial catch from Diaz's penalty that was vital for his team's victory. Bounou made six saves, earning him the entertainment trophy, namely the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

Another individual title to lift a bit of the sorrow for Morocco, the "Atlas Lions" team, is presented thanks to the Golden Boot or Top Scorer award for Diaz with a collection of five goals.

"We have given everything to win. Unfortunately, we missed the penalty opportunity. However, I assure you that we will come back stronger," said Morocco's Coach Walid Regragui, embracing each of his players after the final whistle of the match. (AFP/AP)