SENEGAL survived a controversially disallowed goal, a contentious penalty and a brief walkout to defeat hosts Morocco 1-0 tonight in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat.
Pape Gueye struck the only goal of the match in extra-time as Senegal became the first team to beat Morocco on home soil since 2009.
The tense final at the packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was filled with drama and controversy, with Senegal having a goal disallowed for a foul after the scorer made minimal contact with a Morocco defender.
Moments after the disallowed goal, with the regulation time almost over, Morocco were awarded a soft penalty after a VAR review.
The Senegalese players and officials vehemently protested against the penalty and the match was abandoned for over 10 minutes as most of the Teranga Lions left the pitch and headed down the tunnel.
They were eventually persuaded to return and resume the game.
The tournament’s top scorer with five goals Brahim Diaz took the penalty, but it was a disastrous one as his cheeky Panenka attempt was easily saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Gueye then struck a stunning goal four minutes into extra-time as Senegal claimed their second AFCON title, four years after their first.