Senegal crowned AFCON champions after winning chaotic final against Morocco

Senegal are the champions of Africa once again after winning a chaotic and bizarre final against host nation Morocco.

Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye’s stunning strike in extra time secured a second ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown for Senegal after a hugely controversial end to regular time.

After the referee had awarded Morocco a penalty for Malick Diouf’s foul on Brahim Diaz in stoppage time, following a long VAR check, Senegal’s players left the pitch in protest under the instruction of their manager Pape Thiaw.

Moments earlier, Senegal had been controversially denied a winning goal when Ismaila Sarr found the back of the net, which was chalked off for a questionable foul on Achraf Hakimi by Abdoulaye Seck.

Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the spot-kick when the Senegal players eventually re-emerged from the dressing room after a delay of around 15 minutes, but saw his dinked effort down the middle of the goal easily saved by Edouard Mendy, before Gueye won the game in extra time.