Senegal are champions of Africa again. On January 18, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the Lions of Teranga beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a final packed with drama, elite goalkeeping and stormy flashpoints. Pape Gueye struck the decisive goal in extra time, while Édouard Mendy saved a stoppage-time penalty from Brahim Díaz to seal Senegal’s second Africa Cup of Nations crown, following their 2022 triumph.

This was a classic that will be remembered for both the football and the fury around it. It had a disallowed goal, a bold Panenka, and scenes in the stands and on the touchline that took the air out of a great spectacle. Still, Senegal stood tall in the key moments and left Rabat with the trophy.

Pape Gueye’s Extra-Time Winner

With the final locked at 0-0 after 90 minutes, it was Pape Gueye who found the breakthrough. The Villarreal striker delivered when it mattered most in extra time, finding the net to put Senegal in front. In a game of tiny margins, that single finish proved enough.

Gueye had been involved from the first minutes. Early on, he forced Yacine Bounou into a tough save with a downward header, a sign of the threat he carried all night. His persistence paid off late, stamping his name into AFCON history.

“They wrote their own sequel to 2022 — now it feels like a real era for Senegal.”

Brahim Díaz’s Penalty Drama and a Goalkeeper’s Big Moment

As the clock bled into stoppage time, Morocco had the chance to level. Up stepped Brahim Díaz, the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, to take a high-pressure penalty. He chose the Panenka — a delicate chip down the middle. Mendy did not bite. The Senegal goalkeeper stood tall and smothered the attempt, a save that will live long in memory.

It was a massive call by Díaz, one that showed daring and belief. But finals punish risk. Mendy read it, Senegal breathed again, and Morocco’s last chance slipped away.

“Panenka in stoppage time of a final? Bold — but the margins are brutal.”

VAR, a Disallowed Goal and Tempers on a Knife-Edge

This final had controversy baked in. At 0-0, Senegal thought they had scored, only for VAR to step in. The video review found a push on Achraf Hakimi in the box, and the goal was ruled out. The call raised the temperature on the pitch and in the stands.

Later, when Morocco were awarded their late penalty, emotions boiled over. For a tense few moments, Senegal’s players and staff showed clear anger and signaled they might leave the field before play continued. The tension matched the stakes — a continental title in the balance.

Off the field, there were violent altercations between Senegal supporters and Moroccan authorities. Those scenes dimmed the glow of a great football night and will lead to hard questions about safety and matchday operations.

“We came for football, not flashpoints — protect the players and fans.”

Yacine Bounou and Édouard Mendy: Keepers Define the Night

Two elite goalkeepers shaped this final. Yacine Bounou kept Morocco alive in the first half with a string of sharp stops, including that quick, midair adjustment in the 4th minute to claw away Gueye’s header. His reflexes and positioning were top class.

On the other side, Mendy was calm and clutch. He stayed big to deny Díaz’s Panenka and managed his box well as Morocco pushed bodies forward late. In a game where one mistake could cost everything, both keepers were steady. Mendy’s single, perfect read on the penalty became the difference.

What the Title Means for Senegal

This win confirms Senegal’s place at the top of African football. It’s a second AFCON title in a short span, following their 2022 success against Egypt. That kind of consistency is rare. It shows a strong core, belief in tight games, and the ability to handle pressure moments.

Senegal’s path in Rabat was not easy. They dealt with a disallowed goal, intense home support for Morocco, and late chaos. Yet they stayed organized and trusted their leaders. Champions do that — they find a way even when the script turns messy.

Morocco’s Wait Goes On

For Morocco, the heartbreak is real. The hosts came into the tournament dreaming of ending a 50-year wait for the Africa Cup of Nations. They had the crowd, the momentum, and a Golden Boot winner in Brahim Díaz. For long spells, they looked in control, especially with Bounou’s big saves early.

But finals are decided by details. VAR erased a Senegal goal, and then VAR also validated Morocco’s late chance from the spot. They got their moment; Mendy took it away. The wait continues, and this one will sting because it was within reach on home soil.

A Final of Skill and Storm

AFCON finals often carry emotion, and this one spilled over at times. The football was fierce and fast. The refereeing decisions were heavy. The crowd added energy — and, sadly, edge.

There will be questions for organizers about how to prevent violence around the game and how to improve communication around big calls. Fans deserve to feel safe, and players deserve clarity. This tournament provided beauty and tension in equal parts; the balance must be better next time.

The Lasting Picture

In the end, the image that lasts is simple: a gold trophy lifted high by a team that kept its nerve. Senegal defended bravely, took their chance through Pape Gueye, and relied on Édouard Mendy to deliver one clutch save when it counted most.

Morocco will be back — the talent is there, and so is the hunger. But this night belongs to Senegal. Two-time champions, tested by noise and pressure, and stronger for it.