Afcon final: Senegal’s ecstasy and Morocco’s devastation


Andalou via Getty Images Senegalese fans wearing clothing and accessories in the colors of the national flag gather around African Renaissance Monument, chanting and singing to support their team.Andalou via Getty Images

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has declared Monday a public holiday after the national team won the Africa Cup of Nations after beating tournament hosts Morocco 1-0 in a dramatic final on Sunday.

A disallowed goal, players walking off the pitch and a saved penalty made it a tense night in the stadium in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.

In Senegal’s capital, Dakar, supporters were excited as they gathered at an outdoor screen at the foot of the giant African Renaissance Monument.

As the match unfolded the tension was too much to bear for some.

Reuters A Senegal fan covers his face with his football top printed with the number 10 on it.Reuters

The moment Morocco’s Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty that would have won his country the Afcon trophy for the first time in 50 years was unwatchable for this Senegal fan.

But his miss and Senegal’s subsequent goal in extra time were met with ecstasy in Dakar.

EPA Senegalese soccer fans cheer as they watch the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final match between Senegal and Morocco in DakarEPA

“What just happened is divine… a scenario as if it were a Netflix series is crazy,” fan Mohamed Diop told the Reuters news agency.

AFP via Getty Images A Senegal supporter celebrates at a fan zone at the African Renaissance Monument in DakarAFP via Getty Images

The other side of the coin, of course, was the devastation for Moroccans at a fan park in the city of Sale.

ANP via Getty Images A Moroccan fan has her hands clasped in front of her face. Other fans are around her looking sad.ANP via Getty Images

“Maybe next time,” one man told Reuters. “We have good players. Now we should get back to work so we can win in 2027.”

Moroccan fans watching in the Dutch city of Eindhoven were also shocked by Diaz’s penalty miss.

AFP via Getty Images Fans gather at the Dynamo cultural venue to watch on a large screen the Africa Cup of Nations football final between Morocco and Senegal, in Eindhoven AFP via Getty Images

But back in Dakar, once the final whistle had blown, the party started.

Reuters Two Senegal fans in country colours cheer as they lean out of a moving car.Reuters

“We really needed to win. This team showed me courage and seriousness. We gave everything we had. We really thank Sadio Mané, he gave us everything,” supporter Modou Yacine Diop told Reuters.

Senegal fans in the Italian city of Milan also came out on the streets.

Anadolu via Getty Images Senegal fans take to the streets and celebrate after the victory of the African Cup of Nations final match between the Moroccan and Senegalese national teams in Milan, ItalyAnadolu via Getty Images

People also celebrated on public transport in the French capital, Paris.

EPA A Senegalese fan holds his national team's jersey inside the Paris Metro after Senegal's victory over Morocco in the African CupEPA

And at a watch party in New York, hosted by new city mayor Zohran Mamdani, Senegal fans joined the party.

Bloomberg via Getty Images An attendee holds a "Go Senegal" sign during a watch party for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final match with Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York,Bloomberg via Getty Images
Getty Images/BBC A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News AfricaGetty Images/BBC



Source link

  • Related Posts

    World Football – Afcon 2025: Senegal are champions after final descends into chaos

    Available for over a year Lee James is joined by John Bennett and the former Nigeria international Daniel Amokachi for immediate reaction to Senegal winning the 2025 Africa Cup of…

    Brahim Diaz’s Afcon penalty miss: ‘He’s going to have nightmares’ say pundits

    It was a moment that will haunt Brahim Diaz for years to come. The winger had a chance to write his name into Moroccan folklore after winning a penalty in…

    प्रातिक्रिया दे

    आपका ईमेल पता प्रकाशित नहीं किया जाएगा. आवश्यक फ़ील्ड चिह्नित हैं *

    hi_INहिन्दी