Senegal may have lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy for only the second time in their history, but the 2025 final will forever be defined as much by turmoil as by triumph.
What should have been a pristine celebration of African football instead descended into a spell of controversy, confusion, and raw emotion that threatened to derail the showpiece occasion.
For 98 minutes, the final between two continental heavyweights was tense, tactical, and goalless. The margins were razor-thin, the pressure immense. Then came a sequence of events that plunged the stadium into chaos and left an indelible mark on Senegal’s crowning night.
Senegal stun hosts Morocco to win AFCON after final of extraordinary chaos
Flashpoint in added time
The first spark came moments before full-time. Senegal thought they had broken the deadlock when Abdoulaye Seck powered a header into the net. Celebrations erupted, only to be abruptly halted. The referee ruled out the goal for a foul on Achraf Hakimi, a decision that instantly ignited fury among Senegalese players, the technical bench, and the stands.
Despite vociferous protests and demands for VAR intervention, the referee remained unmoved and allowed play to continue. The tension, already stretched to its limit, simmered dangerously.
The penalty that lit the fire
The situation exploded in the 98th minute. Following a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot, awarding the hosts a penalty after Senegal’s Malick Diouf was judged to have pulled Brahim Diaz inside the box.
The decision sent shockwaves through the Senegal camp, who felt hard done by after the earlier disallowed goal.
What followed was extraordinary.
Unprecedented walk-off
In a scene rarely witnessed at this level, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw was seen instructing his players to leave the pitch in protest. The players complied, walking off as confusion reigned around the stadium. Play was suspended for nearly 17 minutes as officials, players, and security personnel scrambled to regain control.
The disorder spilled into the stands. Senegalese supporters breached their designated areas, flooding toward the photographers’ zone.
Police were forced to intervene, forming a human barricade to prevent the situation from escalating further.
Extra time!
The action continues. 🇸🇳🇲🇦#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/20k8CZoS1m— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026
Mane’s intervention averts disaster
As the standoff dragged on, the threat of a forfeit loomed, an outcome that would have turned chaos into catastrophe. It was at this critical moment that Sadio Mane stepped forward. The Senegal captain calmed his teammates, urging them to return to the field and see out the contest.
His leadership proved decisive. Senegal resumed play, ultimately securing victory and the AFCON crown. Yet even as confetti fell and medals were handed out, the lingering sense remained that the night had slipped away from pure sporting celebration.
Superb finish. That whole play? Team. 🇸🇳#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WePlayDifferent pic.twitter.com/IL2wyIH0Ia
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 19, 2026
Senegal are champions of Africa once again. But alongside the glory, AFCON 2025 will be remembered for those unforgettable 16 minutes, when controversy, emotion, and disorder threatened to eclipse one of the biggest prizes in African football.
