Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz turned villain on an eventful night that saw Senegal’s Teranga Lions overpower Morocco’s Atlas Lions charged by expectant home crowd at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat.
In a controversial turn of events Senegal abandoned play deep into stoppage-time after DR Congo referee Jean Jacque Ndala awarded a penalty kick to the host nation after Brahim Diaz was fouled inside the box during a corner kick.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw urged his side off the field after the referee’s decision following a VAR review. However, the 44-year-old and his side were back onto the field to resume play and were delighted to see Brahim scope his penanka to the waiting gloves of Saudi Arabia-based Edouard Mendy.
26-year-old Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye sealed the trophy for Senegal just 4 minutes into the extra-time after weaving his way through a forest of Moroccan defence before unleashing a magnificent strike into the net to stun the home crowd.
This becomes Senegal’s second AFCON title after lifting the continent’s coveted trophy for the first time in 2021 when they defeated record-winners Egypt in the final on Cameroonian soil.
