By Ahmed Mulange
RABAT, Morocco – Senegal are the winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
After a goalless 90 minutes played at the wet Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium because of rain, Senegal scored early in the first half of the added 30 minutes.
Spanish based professional Brahim Diaz had the chance to win the trophy for Morocco, but the penalty was saved after 24th minute of added time at the end of normal time by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Menday.
The penalty had been awarded by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala at the very end of the allotted eight minutes of stoppage time, following a VAR review of a challenge on Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The Senegal players disputed the penalty and walked off the pitch for over 10 minutes, but star player Sadio Mane guided the players back on pitch. Mendy stepped up and comfortably saved the “Panenka” taken by Diaz.
Pape Gueye later scored Senegal’s winning goal after 94th minute to send the home fans into shock.
Senegal had already been angered by the referee’s earlier decision to disallow a goal by Ismaila Sarr for a foul in the second minute of added time.
It is Senegal’s second AFCON title in the last three editions, after they defeated Egypt on penalties in Yaounde in 2022 to lift the trophy for the first time.
“This is a very sweet win and it is because of team work that we lifted this trophy,” said a happy Sadio Mane after the tough encounter. The final was also graced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and Rwanda President Paul Kagame among others.
