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01/18 17:23 CST Senegal wins Africa Cup of Nations after chaotic final against
host Morocco
Senegal wins Africa Cup of Nations after chaotic final against host Morocco
By CIARAN FAHEY
AP Sports Writer
RABAT, Morocco (AP) --- Senegal has won the Africa Cup of Nations in dramatic
fashion.
Pape Gueye scored in extra time for the Teranga Lions to beat host Morocco 1-0
in a chaotic final on Sunday which at one point saw fans trying to storm the
field and Senegal's players walking off the pitch to protest a penalty decision
deep into second-half stoppage time.
It appeared unclear if the game could continue as fans battled with stewards.
But play did resume after a stoppage of 14 minutes, only for Senegal's douard
Mendy to easily save Brahim Daz's attempt at a Panenka penalty when he lobbed
the ball straight into the goalkeeper's arms with the last kick of normal time.
Gueye then scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time when he
swept the ball into the top right corner with his left boot.
The 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium emptied quickly after the
final whistle. Few were left to see the Senegalese players lift the trophy.
It's Senegal's second Africa Cup win. The Teranga Lions won the 2021 edition
after a penalty shootout against Egypt.
Senegal fury There was chaos before extra time with Senegal's players walking off the field after Morocco was awarded a controversial stoppage-time penalty just after Senegal had what seemed a good goal ruled out at the other end. Senegal's goal was ruled out in the second minute of stoppage time for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck, but TV replays showed little contact on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, who fell before Seck headed the ball off the post. Moussa Niakhat headed the rebound in. Then Morocco claimed a penalty for a pull by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim, and it was awarded after Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala checked replays. The decision led to fights between some of the Moroccan substitutes and their opposing players with Morocco coach Walid Regragui also there in the melee, possibly in a bid to calm the situation. Anger spilled over among the organized group of Senegalese fans, with many jumping down among the photographers and trying to storm the field from behind one of the goals. At least one threw a chair onto the field. They were mostly held back by a long line of police. There were also fights in the press box --- possibly involving Moroccan and Senegalese fans masquerading as journalists to get accreditation --- amid the chaos.
Players walk off Senegal coach Pape Thiaw led his team off the field while Moroccan fans celebrated the penalty decision and whistled the fighting on the field. The players returned some 14 minutes later and Brahim -- Morocco's star and the tournament's top scorer with five goals -- missed the chance to end Morocco's 50-year wait for the trophy. Brahim was whistled by the remaining Morocco fans when he went to collect his runners-up medal. Instead, Gueye scored Senegal's first goal from open play --- rather than from penalties --- in a final. This was Senegal's fourth appearance in an Africa Cup final. Before the match, the Senegalese Football Federation decried a lack of "fair play" from the Moroccan hosts before the final, citing an alleged lack of security, problems with the team hotel, training facilities and ability to get tickets for its supporters. For Morocco, a 2030 World Cup host, defeat is a demoralizing blow. The kingdom has invested heavily in soccer facilities and infrastructure. One of the most aggressive infrastructure buildouts in African sporting history fueled protests in October from mostly young Moroccans who feel other areas are being neglected. ___ AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
Senegal fury There was chaos before extra time with Senegal's players walking off the field after Morocco was awarded a controversial stoppage-time penalty just after Senegal had what seemed a good goal ruled out at the other end. Senegal's goal was ruled out in the second minute of stoppage time for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck, but TV replays showed little contact on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, who fell before Seck headed the ball off the post. Moussa Niakhat headed the rebound in. Then Morocco claimed a penalty for a pull by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim, and it was awarded after Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala checked replays. The decision led to fights between some of the Moroccan substitutes and their opposing players with Morocco coach Walid Regragui also there in the melee, possibly in a bid to calm the situation. Anger spilled over among the organized group of Senegalese fans, with many jumping down among the photographers and trying to storm the field from behind one of the goals. At least one threw a chair onto the field. They were mostly held back by a long line of police. There were also fights in the press box --- possibly involving Moroccan and Senegalese fans masquerading as journalists to get accreditation --- amid the chaos.
Players walk off Senegal coach Pape Thiaw led his team off the field while Moroccan fans celebrated the penalty decision and whistled the fighting on the field. The players returned some 14 minutes later and Brahim -- Morocco's star and the tournament's top scorer with five goals -- missed the chance to end Morocco's 50-year wait for the trophy. Brahim was whistled by the remaining Morocco fans when he went to collect his runners-up medal. Instead, Gueye scored Senegal's first goal from open play --- rather than from penalties --- in a final. This was Senegal's fourth appearance in an Africa Cup final. Before the match, the Senegalese Football Federation decried a lack of "fair play" from the Moroccan hosts before the final, citing an alleged lack of security, problems with the team hotel, training facilities and ability to get tickets for its supporters. For Morocco, a 2030 World Cup host, defeat is a demoralizing blow. The kingdom has invested heavily in soccer facilities and infrastructure. One of the most aggressive infrastructure buildouts in African sporting history fueled protests in October from mostly young Moroccans who feel other areas are being neglected. ___ AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
