Senegal are champions of Africa after a night of high drama, missed chances and raw emotion, beating hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time to lift the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations trophy.

The final in Rabat was decided by a single strike from Pape Gueye, but the defining image of the night belonged to goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, whose late heroics broke Moroccan hearts and sealed Senegal’s triumph.

After a tense and tactical 90 minutes ended goalless, the hosts thought their moment had arrived deep into stoppage time. Morocco were awarded a penalty after Senegal defender Moussa Diouf was judged to have pulled Brahim Díaz inside the box.

What followed summed up the pressure of an AFCON final. Amid lengthy protests and whistles from the crowd, Díaz stepped up and missed. His effort was kept out by Mendy, sending the Senegalese bench into wild celebration and forcing the match into extra time.

That escape proved decisive.

Just four minutes into the first half of extra time, Senegal struck. Pape Gueye found space outside the penalty area and unleashed a high, driven shot that beat the Moroccan goalkeeper, silencing the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium and swinging the momentum decisively in Senegal’s favour.

Morocco pushed desperately for an equaliser, throwing men forward and urging on by a passionate home crowd, but Senegal’s defence marshalled superbly and inspired by Mendy behind it, stood firm through 120 exhausting minutes.

When the final whistle blew, Senegal’s players collapsed to the turf in disbelief and joy, while Moroccan players stood frozen, knowing how close they had come.

For Senegal, it is an AFCON title that confirms their status among Africa’s modern football powers, built on resilience, belief and big-game mentality. For Morocco, it was a painful end to a tournament in which they had conceded just one goal and one missed penalty proved the difference between glory and heartbreak.

On a night that had everything except goals in normal time, Senegal found theirs when it mattered most and once again, Africa has new kings.