Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has reflected emotionally on his decisive contribution in the Africa Cup of Nations final, describing the goal that sealed continental glory against Morocco as the defining moment of his career.
Gueye etched his name into Senegalese football history after scoring the winning goal in a tense final against hosts Morocco, a strike that delivered a narrow 1–0 victory and secured the AFCON trophy for Senegal. The tightly contested encounter saw both sides battle fiercely before Gueye’s effort ultimately made the difference and handed the Lions of Teranga their second African crown.
Speaking to COPE, the Senegal international revisited the dramatic moments of the final, which was filled with controversy and high emotion. He said:
“The final match witnessed many events, including the towel incident, and I don’t know why the Moroccan players did that. The most important thing for us was to win and give Senegal its second star.”
The midfielder went on to express how deeply personal the moment was for him, admitting that the goal felt almost unreal. Reflecting on the tournament and the aftermath of the final whistle, Gueye shared his emotions openly.
“I scored the best goal of my career, and it was like a dream I lived in the tournament. I cried with joy after the match.”
Senegal’s triumph at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations came in dramatic fashion, as the final extended into extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. After 120 minutes of intense football, discipline, and resilience, Gueye’s decisive strike proved enough to overcome a determined Moroccan side on home soil, sealing a historic 1–0 victory and further cementing Senegal’s status among Africa’s football elite
