The 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos after Senegal’s players furiously left the pitch in protest
Senegal and Morocco players as the AFCON final descended into chaos(Image: beIN Sports)
The 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos when Senegal’s players dramatically walked off the pitch in protest, after hosts Morocco were given a contentious stoppage-time penalty. Brahim Diaz of Morocco was deemed to have been fouled by West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf, leading referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to consult VAR and award a penalty.
Senegal, with Everton’s Idrissa Gueye in midfield and Iliman Ndiaye who started before being taken off, were already incensed after having a potential winning goal disallowed, with the score at 0-0 going into eight minutes of added time. Abdoulaye Seck was judged to have fouled Achraf Hakimi, much to the hosts’ relief.
Then the real spectacle unfolded. All of Senegal’s players – bar former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane – retreated into the tunnel on the orders of their manager, Pape Thiaw.
Embarrassed by the situation and disagreeing with Thiaw, Mane dashed into the dressing room and successfully persuaded his team-mates to return to the pitch. After a delay of 17 minutes, the penalty was finally taken by Diaz – only for him to miss in a humiliating manner.
The Real Madrid star attempted a Panenka, but ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved it. A tearful Diaz, aged 26, looked on as Ndala blew his whistle for extra-time.
Senegal capitalised on their reprieve, with Mane’s back heel finding Everton star Gueye, whose pass set up Pape Gueye for a fantastic run. The Villarreal midfielder unleashed an unstoppable shot, beating Yassine Bounou to make it 1-0.
This marked the first goal Morocco had conceded from open play in the tournament. Everton transfer target Youssef En-Nesyri came close to equalising the first half of extra-time but his header went agonisingly wide.
Senegal had a chance to seal the victory through Cherif Ndiaye. The Samsunspor forward saw his initial attempt saved before Bounou got a touch on the rebound, too, as the ball somehow went wide from close range.
But Morocco couldn’t find an equaliser and the most controversial of finals came to an end after three dramatic hours. As the rain poured in Rabat, Senegal won their second AFCON title.
