The AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat ended in chaos and controversy, with Senegal securing a 1-0 extra-time victory.

The match featured high tension, including a late penalty awarded to Morocco immediately after Senegal had a goal disallowed.

Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye and teammates walked off the pitch in protest, delaying play by roughly 20 minutes. Gueye later admitted on French television that the walk-off was a mistake, citing the intense emotions of playing on such a grand stage.

Leadership Amid Chaos

Senegal captain Sadio Mane played a pivotal role during the incident, staying on the pitch and persuading his teammates to return.

Gueye praised Mane’s leadership, saying, “He found the right words at the right moment. It shows how important he is to us. We owe him a big thank you.”

After the match resumed, Morocco forward Brahim Diaz’s Panenka penalty was saved, and Gueye scored the decisive goal in extra time, sealing Senegal’s second AFCON title in four years. CAF and FIFA have since been notified by the Moroccan Football Federation regarding the walk-off and crowd behavior for review.

Hakimi’s Post-Tournament Struggles

The defeat has reportedly taken a mental toll on Morocco and PSG defender Achraf Hakimi. PSG manager Luis Enrique is managing Hakimi’s reintegration cautiously, prioritizing his wellbeing over rushing him back into training or matches.

Hakimi missed PSG’s 1-0 win over Auxerre and was expected to sit out their Champions League fixture against Newcastle, contrasting with teammate Ibrahim Mbaye, who has already returned to action.

Despite the challenges, Hakimi was controversially named in the AFCON 2025 Team of the Tournament, highlighting his impact even amid injury and emotional strain.