The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 title went to Senegal who lifted the trophy in a dramatic fashion.
Senegal secured their second AFCON title with a 1–0 extra-time victory over Morocco in a final marked by controversy and chaos. Pape Gueye’ scored the lone goal of the match in the first half of the extra time.
Sadio Mane emerged best player of the tournament after leading Senegal to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.
The 33-year old scored two goals and provided constant inspiration in the Teranga Lions’ march to glory.
Morocco’s Brahim Diaz emerged top scorer of the tournament with his five goals from seven games played.
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AFCON 2025: Full List of Awards Winners
- Champions – Senegal
- Runners up – Morocco
- Fair play award – Morocco
- Third place – Nigeria
- Best player – Sadio Mane (Senegal)
- Best goalkeeper – Yassine Bono ( Morocco)
- Top scorer -Brahim Diaz (Morocco)
- Fair Play Award -Morocco
AFCON 2025 Final: As it happened
Senegal were crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions after one of the most chaotic and controversial finals in the tournament’s history, edging hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time following extraordinary scenes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Midfielder Pape Gueye struck a thunderous winner in the 94th minute to seal Senegal’s second AFCON title, moments after Real Madrid star Brahim Díaz squandered a golden opportunity to win the match for Morocco by missing a stoppage-time penalty amid a prolonged delay caused by Senegal’s dramatic walkout in protest.
The final, played before a hostile capacity crowd in Rabat, was finely balanced for much of the night but exploded into controversy late in regulation time. In the 92nd minute, Senegal thought they had taken the lead from a corner, only for Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala to disallow the goal for a foul in the build-up.
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Seconds later, matters worsened for the West Africans. After a VAR review, Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty for a challenge by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Díaz during a corner. The decision infuriated the Senegal bench, and head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw ordered his players to walk off the pitch in protest, feeling his side had been denied a legitimate goal moments earlier.
What followed were farcical scenes. Players and officials argued on the field, fans attempted to invade the pitch, and police were forced to intervene as the delay stretched to nearly 20 minutes. Senegal captain Sadio Mané emerged as the calming influence, pleading with his teammates to return and finish the match.
