Senegal Triumphs Over Morocco 1-0: Pape Gueye Scores Extra-Time Winner Amid Controversial Penalty Protests

SENEGAL survived intense controversy to upset hosts Morocco and win their second Africa Cup of Nations.

Edouard Mendy and Pape Gueye are destined to go down in Senegalese folklore as they made the most important contributions in a final that looked to have gone away from them in the final moments the game.

Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations following a controversial final

First the unofficial visitors were denied a goal in the second minute of stoppage time when Crystal Palace star Ismaila Sarr headed the ball to the back of the net.

Abdoulaye Seck was deemed to have fouled Morocco captain by pushing him to the ground before getting a header that bounced off the post, which ultimately set Sarr up for the goal.

Then the Walid Regragui’s men were awarded a controversial penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

West Ham ace El Jade Malick Diouf was deemed to have fouled Brahim Diaz in what seemed to be a soft penalty.

That led to a massive brawl between both sides, while Senegal’s enraged manager Pape Thiaw called on his players to leave the pitch.

The Lions of Teranga followed their boss’ orders until Liverpool legend Sadio Mane took it upon himself and called everyone back out.

It took until the 24th minute of stoppage time until order was restored and Real Madrid star Diaz took on the penalty.

But the forward wasted the opportunity to seal a second Afcon title for Morocco with a weak Panenka shot that ex- goalkeeper Edouard Mendy picked up with ease.

And it was in the fourth minute of extra-time that Senegal finally got their retribution with a stunning goal by Pape Gueye.

Everton ace Idrissa Gueye released his namesake in midfield and the Villarreal ace put together an awe-inspiring sprint before stepping inside the area and firing a powerful shot that Yassine Bounou couldn’t stop.

Morocco had put together what seemed to be an early celebration at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat with Moroccan fans overwhelmingly outnumbering the Senegalese faithful.

But the first half between the two best defences of the tournament didn’t suggest all the drama that would ensue.

Senegal started strong with Everton ace Gueye meeting a corner-kick at the far post and forcing Bounou to make a difficult save from a tight angle after just five minutes.

Thiaw’s men then caught Morocco completely off guard with Gueye’s Toffees team-mate Iliman Ndiaye finding himself alone with the Al-Hilal keeper who stretched his legs and just denied him with his right foot.

The pace picked up in the second half with Morocco coming extremely close with Ayoub El Kaabi, who scored two incredible overhead kicks in the tournament.

But Olympiacos superstar El Kaabi couldn’t hit the back of the net from close range in the 58th minute as his finish just missed Mendy’s bottom right corner.

Then all the drama ensued as Morocco star Neil El Aynaoui suffered a horror injury that left his face covered in blood.

More to Follow