Pape Gueye’s stunner in extra time secured Senegal a second Africa Cup of Nations success after a dramamtic and controversial 1-0 victory over host nation Morocco.
Gueye’s thunderbolt in the fourth minute of extra time settled a final that was filled with controversy.
It came after dramatic scenes in stoppage time of normal time when Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, who was also angered by a disallowed goal for his side, took his Senegal players off the field following the decision to award the Atlas Lions a controversial last-gasp penalty.
Substitute Ismaila Sarr thought he had won it for Senegal until referee Jean-Jacques Ndala ruled out his header for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi, and the the drama continued into the last minute of the scheduled eight minutes of added time when, having been advised to review Malick Diouf’s challenge on Diaz, the referee pointed to the spot, prompting a furious Thiaw to send most of his players to the dressing room.
Chaos ensued at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat with no-one particularly knowing how the game was going to end as Senegal temporarily refused to finish the game.
With the clock still running, after some encouragement from Sadio Mane, the Senegal players re-emerged in the 20th minute of stoppage time but incredibly, Diaz, who was the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals, saw his weakly attempted Panenka penalty saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy as Morocco spurned the chance of a first continental title in 50 years.
It sent the final to extra time and Thiaw’s men, fuelled by a sense of injustice, regrouped and forced their way in front when Gueye surged forward and blasted a left-foot piledriver past Bounou and into the top corner.
Bounou went on to deny Cherif Ndiaye a second with a stunning double save but Gueye’s contribution ultimately proved decisive for Senegal.
Kalidou Koulibaly, who was suspended for the final but celebrated with his team in full kit, was given the Africa Cup of Nations trophy by FIFA president Gianni Infantino but handed it to Mane, who fittingly lifted it in what could have been his final appearance for Senegal at AFCON.
