Senegal’s dramatic victory over Morocco in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations remains a defining moment in the nation’s football history, with captain Idrissa Gana Gueye recalling a tense and chaotic night that ultimately ended in continental glory.
The Lions of Teranga claimed their second AFCON title after a fiercely contested final against the host nation, a match marked by tactical caution, high emotion and prolonged stoppages.
For Gueye, the occasion carried added responsibility as he captained the side in the absence of suspended defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
The Everton midfielder, who featured in every minute of Senegal’s tournament, reflected on the final in an interview with Onze Mondial, offering a detailed insight into the pressure and intensity that shaped the encounter.
“The game was tense on both sides, there was a lot of calculation. We had chances to score, and so did Morocco.
They’re a very good team, they play very good football. They run a lot and caused us problems, especially with our turnovers,” he explained.
As the match progressed, the atmosphere grew increasingly strained, with frequent interruptions contributing to rising frustration on the pitch.
Gueye said his role as captain required him to act as an intermediary, particularly in dealings with the referee.
“Throughout the match, there were a lot of little things. The referee was whistling a lot against us. We knew that the only person who should talk to him was me, because I was captain for this match.
I often went to talk to him calmly, laughing and smiling, to try to understand and lighten the mood. We scored from a set piece, then the referee whistled for a foul against us.
Then he awarded them a penalty. And that’s when things went completely haywire. We were wondering: ‘Are we going to play or not?’ The match stopped for a while.”
Gueye described a period of confusion as play was halted, with Senegal’s focus tested amid uncertainty. Despite the disruption, the team remained united, drawing on leadership from senior figures within the squad.
“We didn’t understand what was happening, we just wanted to win. We consulted with Sadio Mané. He went to talk with some of the older players, then came back.
We spoke with the coach, and Sadio said: ‘We’re coming back and we’re playing.’ We started laughing amongst ourselves. We were saying: ‘And he hasn’t even scored yet.’ And we kept laughing.”
That moment of levity, Gueye suggested, helped ease the tension and refocus the team on their objective. Senegal went on to see out the final and secure the trophy, adding another historic chapter to their rise in African football.
