Senegal international Idrissa Gana Gueye has described the decision to award a penalty to Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nation final as “crazy”.
The West African football heavyweights won the continental showpiece in a crazy scenario, defeating host Morocco 1-0 in a match held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat after 120 minutes.
Senegal had left the field after referee Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty kick to Morocco, minutes after disallowing a goal for the Taranga Lions.
But Mane urged his teammates to return to the pitch for the continuation of the match. Their return paid off with Pape Gueye netting the match winner after Brahim Diaz had squandered a golden penalty kick.
“It’s a great honor and we say thank God. We wanted to win this championship, God granted us victory, and I thank all the Senegalese people. We know the difficulties that the Senegalese public went through.” He told beIN SPORTS.
“We came to play 7 matches and we knew it was very complicated, but we managed to do it.”
“There was disappointment because of the penalty that was awarded against us. We were angry and it was crazy, but Sadio Mane brought us back to the pitch.”
Senegal has now won the AFCON twice in history, while Morocco’s trophy drought continues.
The Atlas Lions has been absent from the podium in the Africa Cup of Nations for 50 years, since winning the title in 1976.
