The previously lukewarm interest from football fans worldwide in the 2026 African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2026) was only partially rekindled when everyone witnessed the Senegal-Morocco final, showcasing the wildness of African football. Senegal did it all, from nearly causing the match to collapse to the triumphant return of the "Teranga Lions" to the top of the podium.
Senegal got off to a solid start.
The 1-0 victory against Morocco after a breathtaking 120 minutes in the final in Rabat not only secured their second continental title in the last three tournaments but also demonstrated the resilience of the "Teranga Lions" of Senegal on their challenging journey.
Senegal possesses a squad of high-quality, well-balanced players.
From the group stage, Senegal showed the image of a true title contender. The West African team didn't play with explosive flair, but always controlled the game with a disciplined, pragmatic, and physically strong style of play. Their squad, comprised of players competing in Europe and Asia – from the Premier League and Ligue 1 to the Saudi Pro-League – helped Senegal maintain a consistent quality of players. They progressed through the group stage with stable results, few goals conceded, and steadily improving form.
Entering the knockout stage, Senegal began to accelerate at the right time – a familiar sign of a champion. They overcame their opponents with tenacity rather than flair. The defense, led by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, continued to be a solid foundation, while the midfield, with physically strong players like Pape Gueye, helped the team maintain a high tempo throughout the 90 minutes.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is the cornerstone of Senegal's defense.
In other brackets, Cameroon faced numerous difficulties from preparation to competition. Nigeria disappointed due to internal problems and, despite possessing a star-studded squad, their lack of discipline led to inconsistent performances.
Nigeria lost their way despite having a squad of players with strong personalities.
Defending champions Ivory Coast are no longer maintaining the explosive form they showed in the tournament two years ago, while Egypt, despite their experience, are beginning to show signs of fatigue. Host nation Morocco has emerged as Senegal's biggest rival, progressing through the rounds with convincing performances and backed by a passionate home crowd.
A breathtaking final: 120 minutes of destiny.
The final in Rabat lived up to expectations of a high-stakes African football showdown – tense, physically demanding, and full of controversy. The two teams drew 0-0 after 90 minutes of regulation time in a fiercely contested match.
A fierce argument erupted.
Senegal claimed they had been denied a valid goal. A few minutes later, VAR was consulted, and this time, the referee awarded the home team a huge advantage, with the score still 0-0. The moment the referee pointed to the penalty spot in Senegal's penalty area in the 90+8 minute of added time turned the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium into the epicenter of unprecedented chaos.
The moment that nearly ruined the final match.
The contrasting emotions escalated the tension to its peak: the stands erupted, players from both sides lost patience… The Senegalese players protested vehemently, gathering around the referee before leaving the field in discontent. The match only resumed after 17 minutes when the organizers intervened strongly, warning of severe penalties if the game were to fall apart.
Pape Gueye silenced the entire Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium with his 94th-minute goal.
Immense pressure fell on Brahim Diaz, and the Moroccan striker's Panenka-style penalty kick from 11 meters was saved by Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. This moment was considered a turning point in the final, because in extra time, Pape Gueye scored the only goal for Senegal with a decisive shot. The narrow lead was maintained until the final minute, and Sadio Mane and his teammates lifted the trophy after 120 minutes of breathtaking competition.
African football is fragile.
The reaction from the international press clearly reflected the seriousness of the incident. Italian media, including Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport , and Portuguese media, including Bola , used strong keywords such as "chaos," "scandal," and "abandoning the pitch." French media, specifically L'Equipe , described the match as "absolutely insane," emphasizing the prolonged stoppage and the pervasive sense of unease.
Senegalese fans nearly ruined the final.
In Germany, newspapers focused on the period when the final was temporarily suspended due to Senegal's protest and the "failed Panenka penalty" that went down in tournament history. In England, the tone of the press was more cautious, but all agreed that Senegal's victory was overshadowed by controversy.
Unprecedented celebrations took place in Senegal as the champions returned home.
For Senegal, the victory was a testament to their character and ability to withstand pressure. They overcame an unfavorable situation, maintained tactical discipline after a psychological setback, and punished their opponent's mistakes in extra time. Morocco will surely regret the missed golden opportunity from the penalty spot, and will also face questions about the refereeing and the way the match was officiated, including the tournament itself, with its clear and often biased favoritism towards the home team.
A well-deserved title for Senegal.
Their second AFCON title in history – and their second in the last three tournaments – confirms Senegal's status as a leading force in African football. The record-breaking $10 million prize money and significant progress in the FIFA rankings are just the tip of the iceberg. More importantly, they have built a generation of players who possess both technical skill and physical fitness, along with accumulated experience playing at the highest level in Europe and Asia.
Senegal won two of the last three AFCON tournaments.
In the volatile landscape of African football, Senegal stands out for its rare stability. However, AFCON once again exposed a chronic problem in African football: playing with emotion rather than reason, and a lack of consistent discipline.
If chaotic moments like those in the final continue to repeat themselves at the 2026 World Cup, African representatives – including Senegal – could very well be eliminated early by more composed and pragmatic European or South American opponents.
Captain Sadio Mane, the hero of the final match, lifted the championship trophy.
Morocco, the AFCON runner-up and co-host of the 2030 World Cup, will certainly learn many lessons from this painful defeat. Nigeria, Egypt, and Cameroon also still possess great potential if they can solve the problem of discipline.
Senegal, with a squad in its prime and a well-honed winning spirit, has every right to dream of going deep in the 2026 World Cup. Of course, to make that dream a reality, the "Teranga Lions" need to maintain their composure and discipline – because on the world stage, mere "wild strength" is not enough.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/nha-vo-dich-afcon-senegal-mo-vuot-tam-chau-phi-1962602210808035.htm
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