Ghanaian football fans have praised Sadio Mané following his influence in Senegal’s 1-0 win over Morocco to clinch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on January 18, 2025.
The fans congratulated the Teranga Lions for their resilience throughout the game, which saw them emerge victorious against the host nation, who were strongly poised to win the trophy.
They noted that despite the tense moments in the game, where officiating generated controversies, the players kept their composure and gave their utmost effort to match the Atlas Lions until the final whistle.
Some fans also blamed the chaos on refereeing decisions and emphasised that the victory was significant for the West African sub-region, as North African teams often associate themselves more with Europe or Arabian countries.
About the Game
Ismaila Sarr’s goal was disallowed after the referee ruled that there had been a foul on Achraf Hakimi prior to the cross that led to the goal.
In a dramatic turn of events, the host nation was awarded a penalty in the dying minutes of added time when Brahim Díaz was brought down in the box by a Senegalese defender.
Despite the controversy, Díaz missed the penalty, as his Panenka attempt was easily saved by Édouard Mendy, sending the game into extra time.
In the early stages of the first half of extra time, Pape Gueye struck a powerful shot into the top corner from the edge of the box to secure a 1–0 victory.
Watch the reactions of Ghanaians below:
SB/JE
