RABAT:&nbsp;Senegal stunned Morocco in Sunday&#39;s Africa Cup of Nations final as Pape Gueye&#39;s extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 win over the hosts after a chaotic end to the match marred by the eventual champions storming off the pitch in a lengthy protest following a controversial late penalty award. Brahim Diaz could have won the trophy for Morocco when he stepped up to take the spot-kick in the 24th added minute of added time at the end of the initial 90 minutes, as ugly scenes broke out in the crowd and press box. But Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the weak attempted &#39;Panenka&#39; chip by the Real Madrid winger, who was clearly distracted by the long delay that followed the penalty award. &quot;We gave everything. We didn&#39;t cheat,&quot; match-winner Gueye told French broadcaster M6. &quot;It was a really difficult match, but we were determined to win here. This is a beautiful country, and they have incredible supporters. &quot;Senegal are champions of Africa, and we are so happy.&quot; Congolese match referee Jean-Jacques Ndala gave the penalty right at the end of the allotted eight added minutes following a VAR check for a challenge on Diaz in the box by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf. Diaz, the rest of the Moroccan team, and their bench vehemently protested to the referee to check the images, but the decision to eventually give the spot-kick was met with fury by Senegal and their fans. As most of their players walked off the pitch, some Senegal supporters in the small section of away fans at the opposite end of the stadium threw chairs and other objects and attempted to get onto the field of play. They were eventually contained by a large barrier of police and stewards, and their anger turned to delight and disbelief when the penalty was saved after the game restarted. The Senegal team had initially been riled by the referee&#39;s decision to disallow for a foul a goal scored by Ismaila Sarr in the second added minute. Gueye the hero&nbsp;After Diaz&#39;s penalty miss, however, it felt almost inevitable that a galvanised Senegal would go on to score, and they did so in the fourth minute of extra time to stun the home fans in the crowd of 66,526 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Sadio Mane won possession in midfield and found Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released his namesake Pape Gueye. The Villarreal midfielder held off Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi as he advanced towards the box before beating goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with a superb strike into the top corner, leaving the hosts distraught. They could still have forced a penalty shoot-out, with Nayef Aguerd heading against the crossbar in the second half of extra time. But it was not to be for Morocco, who had been dreaming of winning the title in front of their own fans to end a 50-year wait to become African champions for just the second time. Senegal held on, and it is their second Cup of Nations title in the last three editions, after they defeated Egypt on penalties in Yaounde in 2022 to win the trophy for the very first time. They can now look forward to the World Cup, and will hope to persuade star man Mane to play at another AFCON after he declared that the final would be his last ever game at the tournament. Morocco coach Walid Regragui said, &quot;Congratulations to Senegal, but the image we gave of African football is disappointing, with everything that happened when the penalty was given.&quot; Any investigation into the disgraceful scenes will focus on the conduct of the Senegal team and their fans, as well as any shortcomings by Moroccan organizers. The incidents came at the end of a tense final, low on goalmouth action &mdash; not exactly surprising given the defensive strength of Africa&#39;s best teams according to the FIFA rankings. Senegal&#39;s Iliman Ndiaye was denied by Bounou from the best chance in the first half, while Morocco should have scored just before the hour mark, but Ayoub El Kaabi prodded wide from a Bilal El Khannouss cross. Then came the late drama, with Senegal surviving the penalty award before Gueye became their hero &mdash; remarkably, that was the first goal scored by Senegal in an AFCON final after they had failed to find the net in any of their three previous appearances in the tournament&#39;s deciding game. It was an agonizing way for Morocco&#39;s campaign to end, and many of their fans left the stadium before the final whistle on a cold and wet night in Rabat.

Football

This is Senegal's second Cup of Nations title in the last three editions, following their victory over Egypt on penalties in Yaounde in 2022, which secured the trophy for the first time in their history; any investigation into the disgraceful scenes during the game will focus on the conduct of the Senegal team and their fans as well as any shortcomings by Moroccan organizers; agonizing way for Morocco's campaign to end, and many of their fans had left the stadium before the final whistle on a cold and wet night in Rabat.

Senegal stun hosts Morocco to win AFCON title after final walk-off protest

AGADIR, Morocco: Mohamed Salah scored as 10-man Egypt beat South Africa 1-0 in Agadir on Friday to become the first qualifiers for the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.&nbsp;The Liverpool star converted a penalty on 45 minutes, and South Africa were denied a spot-kick late in the second half when Yasser Ibrahim appeared to handle the ball inside the box.&nbsp;Salah came to Morocco after not starting in five Liverpool matches -- his omission leading to an outburst against manager Arne Slot.&nbsp;Egypt were reduced to 10 men in first-half added time when right-back Mohamed Hany was shown a second yellow card for a stamp, followed by a red.&nbsp;After two rounds in Group B, record seven-time champions Egypt have six points and are guaranteed a top-two finish and a place in the round of 16.&nbsp;South Africa have three points, and Angola and Zimbabwe one each after they drew 1-1 in Marrakesh earlier.&nbsp;&quot;I&#39;m very happy for the result, for sure. It was a tough game, they dominated most of the time. It&#39;s a team that can keep the ball for a long time so I think we had a good gameplan, it worked,&quot; said Salah.&nbsp;&quot;We walked away with the three points, it&#39;s the most important thing. The atmosphere is incredible. Hopefully we can carry on like this.&quot;&nbsp;The first chance fell to Salah after 11 minutes, but he could not move forward quickly enough to connect with a low cross from Hany.&nbsp;That the majority of the crowd were supporting the Pharaohs became obvious soon after when the Burundi referee ignored Zizo appeals for a free-kick, and loud whistling enveloped the stadium.&nbsp;When Salah delivered a free-kick into the heart of the South African area, three Egyptians darted forward, but none could connect with the ball.&nbsp;Salah closely policed&nbsp;Midway through the opening half a pattern had developed -- Egypt were pushing forward regularly while South Africa defended with calmness and solid tackling.&nbsp;When Teboho Mokoena fouled Omar Marmoush just outside the D, he was yellow carded. However, the Manchester City striker fired the resultant free-kick wide.&nbsp;As the first half progressed the sun broke out in the southern coastal city -- a welcome sight for players and spectators with many earlier group matches staged in torrential rain.&nbsp;A rare South Africa attack ended disappointingly as Lyle Foster struck a weak shot that was comfortably saved by 37-year-old Mohamed El Shenawy.&nbsp;Awarded a free-kick close to the touchline, South Africa performed an intricate, multi-pass move that ended tamely as El Shenawy clutched a cross.&nbsp;Salah was being closely policed by Aubrey Modiba and as half-time drew near the Liverpool star retreated into the Egyptian half in order to retain possession.&nbsp;Then, as the Egypt captain chased a loose ball with Khuliso Mudau, the South African right-back raised his left arm, striking an eye of Salah.&nbsp;Amid Egyptian protests, the Burundian referee viewed the incident on a VAR monitor and pointed to the penalty spot.&nbsp;A lengthy delay before the kick was taken could not have eased the nerves of Salah, but he comfortably converted the penalty as Ronwen Williams dived in the wrong direction.&nbsp;More drama erupted in added time when Hany stamped on Mokoena, leading to a second yellow card for the defender.&nbsp;South Africa, with a numerical advantage, attacked more as the second half progressed, but Egypt came close to a second goal with Williams foiling substitute Emam Ashour after a quick free-kick.&nbsp;El Shenawy displayed his agility with 15 minutes remaining, using his right hand to tip to safety a low shot from Foster. It was one of several saves that kept Egypt ahead.

Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty earned 10-man Egypt a 1-0 win over South Africa in Agadir, sending the seven-time champions into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage after a hard-fought Group B encounter match.

Articles tagged with "Africa Cup of Nations"

Senegal stun hosts Morocco to win AFCON title after final walk-off protest

Salah helps 10-man Egypt beat South Africa and book last-16 place