Senegal win Africa Cup after walk-off protest

RABAT, Morocco (AP):

Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations in dramatic fashion yesterday.

Pape Gueye scored in extra time for the Teranga Lions to beat host Morocco 1-0 in a chaotic final which at one point saw fans trying to storm the field and Senegal's players walking off the pitch to protest a penalty decision deep into second-half stoppage time.

It appeared unclear if the game could continue as fans battled with stewards.

"We all saw what happened at the end of the match but we took the decision to come back onto the pitch and give everything," Gueye said.

Play resumed after a stoppage of 14 minutes, only for Senegal's Edouard Mendy to easily save Brahim Diaz's attempt at a Panenka penalty when he lobbed the ball straight into the goalkeeper's arms with the last kick of normal time.

Gueye then scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time when he swept the ball into the top right corner with his left boot.

The 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium emptied quickly after the final whistle. Few were left to see the Senegalese players lift the trophy.

It's Senegal's second Africa Cup win. The Teranga Lions won the 2021 edition after a penalty shootout against Egypt.

CHAOS IN RABAT

There was chaos before extra time after Morocco were awarded a controversial stoppage-time penalty just after Senegal had what seemed a good goal ruled out at the other end.

Senegal's goal in the second minute of stoppage time was ruled out for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck, but TV replays showed little contact on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, who fell before Seck headed the ball off the post. Moussa Niakhate headed in the rebound.

Then Morocco claimed a penalty for a pull by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim, and it was awarded after Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala checked replays.

The decision led to fights between some of the Moroccan substitutes and their opposing players with Morocco coach Walid Regragui also involved, possibly in a bid to calm the situation.