Senegal secured their second Africa Cup of Nations championship with a dramatic extra-time victory over Morocco, yet the triumph was severely tarnished by unprecedented chaos that saw the Senegalese team temporarily refuse to continue playing. The final, held in Rabat, descended into disarray in the 98th minute when referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a contentious penalty after a VAR review, prompting Senegal’s head coach Pape Thiaw to usher his players off the field in protest.
Thiaw’s decision came moments after Ndala had disallowed a Senegal goal for a foul in the build-up, compounding the team’s sense of injustice. As sensational scenes unfolded, former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane remained on the pitch, urging his teammates to return and complete the match. Following a 17-minute delay, during which some fans threw objects and attempted to breach the field, the Senegalese squad eventually rejoined the game.
Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz, the tournament’s top scorer, stepped up to take the penalty but his tame ‘Panenka’ effort was easily caught by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Ndala immediately blew the whistle for full-time, and in the fourth minute of extra time, Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal, sealing a 1-0 win and Senegal’s second Afcon title in five years.
In the aftermath, Morocco coach Walid Regragui labeled Senegal’s walk-off as “shameful” and said it did not “honour Africa.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was present at the match, strongly condemned the “ugly scenes” in an Instagram post, calling it “unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner” and emphasizing that violence cannot be tolerated in football.
The tension had been brewing before the final, with the Senegal Football Federation expressing “serious concerns” over team security after their bus was swarmed by fans upon arrival in Rabat. They also complained about hotel conditions and ticket allocations, which Thiaw cited as factors that heightened frustrations. These pre-match issues contributed to the explosive reaction when the controversial penalty was awarded.
The incident casts a shadow over what had been a largely successful tournament hosted by Morocco, praised for its organization and infrastructure. With Morocco set to co-host the 2030 World Cup, the chaotic finale raises questions about the pressure on officials and the conduct of teams in high-stakes matches. It also sparked debate about the use of VAR in African football, which had been a point of contention throughout the competition.
Sadio Mane emerged as a voice of reason during the crisis, convincing his team to return and later appealing for calm among supporters. After the match, he stressed the importance of presenting a good image for football, while Mendy expressed pride in how the team regrouped. Gueye acknowledged the feeling of injustice but credited Mane’s leadership for their comeback.
Ultimately, Thiaw apologized for the walk-off, admitting it was a heat-of-the-moment reaction that should not have occurred. The event highlights the intense emotions in competitive sport and the need for restraint, even in the face of perceived officiating errors. As disciplinary bodies review the incident, the focus will be on ensuring such scenes are not repeated, preserving the integrity of the game.
