The dream of winning the Africa Cup at home is shattered for Morocco in the final. The hosts were defeated in Rabat in spectacular fashion by Senegal 1-0 after extra time.
18.01.2026, 23:02
18.01.2026, 23:19
SDA
Pape Gueye was the match-winner in the final. The Villarreal midfielder scored the golden goal in the 4th minute of extra time. The Moroccans then stepped up the pace and vehemently sought an equalizer. However, they were unable to score more than a crossbar goal in extra time. While Senegal won the Africa Cup for the second time since 2022, Morocco still have to wait for their second title since 1976.
It will take a while for the team led by captain Achraf Hakimi to come to terms with the defeat. The scenario of the final was brutal for the Moroccans. They are likely to remember the final minutes of normal time for a long time to come. In the last of eight minutes of added time, referee Ndala awarded the Moroccans a penalty. The video referee had previously pointed out a foul on top scorer Brahim Diaz. The Real Madrid striker had been brought down by an opponent's hand on his shoulder during a corner kick. A bitter blow for the Senegalese.
This was followed by long minutes of protest from Senegal's delegation, who felt they had been treated unfairly - partly because their supposed 1-0 had been disallowed at the start of stoppage time due to a debatable foul. Within a very short space of time, the Senegalese, who were slightly superior overall in the final, had to take two low blows. Some of Senegal's players left the pitch and went to the dressing room before star player Sadio Mané ensured that everyone returned to the pitch.
Almost a quarter of an hour after the penalty whistle, Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty - and failed. He attempted a lob into the middle of the goal, which failed and landed in the arms of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. In the extra time that became necessary as a result, the decisive goal was not long in coming, probably also because Morocco were still preoccupied with the goal they had missed shortly beforehand. The strong reaction to the goal conceded in the remainder of extra time went unrewarded.
