Lions of Senegal shattered Morocco’s dream of winning the African Cup of Nations on home soil on Sunday as Pape Gueye Pape Gueye surged powerfully from the rear in extra-time and unleashed a brutal strike that fired the Lions to 1-0 victory in AFCON final overshadowed by questionable officiating.
Before that Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco were gifted a penalty in added time.
The game however restarted after almost 20 minutes delay.
However Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved, which took the game to extra time, during which Gueye fired home four minutes into it to secure a second Nations Cup triumph for his country.
The goal broke Moroccan hearts and left their dream of winning the Nations Cup on home soil in tatters.
Sadio Mane won the ball deep in the midfield and found Idrissa Gana Gueye, who quickly connected Pape Gueye.
The Villarreal midfielder majestically thrust forward, dusted Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi as he advanced towards the box and unleashed a strike that left goalkeeper Yassine Bounou gawking at the ball in the top corner of his own net.
The dream of ending a 50-year wait for a nation’s cup win began to fade and suddenly the silent became silent.
Diaz who failed to grasp the importance of the moment was promptly substituted. His penalty had been appalling.
Nayef Aguerd could have revived the dream in the second half of extra time, but headed against the crossbar.
Details later…
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