A Panenka That Divided Africa and Morocco’s Tragedy: AFCON Ends in Madness
A final where someone’s dream had to die
The Africa Cup of Nations — a tournament of rituals, clashes, colorful fans, desperate efforts, and tears — has reached its inevitable conclusion. The final, staged in Morocco, brought together the host nation and Senegal: the two most expensive and arguably most ambitious squads of the tournament. One dream was destined to come true. The only question was whose.
It was hard not to sympathize with both sides. On one hand stood Senegal — a team that survived the “aging” crisis and successfully rebuilt itself, finding young replacements for almost every leader. Even the injured captain Kalidou Koulibaly had a 20-year-old stand-in in Mamadou Sarr. On the other hand was Morocco, a nation that had not tasted continental glory since 1976 and rediscovered unity on home soil.
There was only one wish: beauty on the pitch.
A European-style chess match
The first half revealed the “Eurocentric” nature of both teams. Neither side featured a single starter without experience in one of Europe’s top five leagues. Quality was visible in every movement — whether it was Morocco’s sharp counterattacks or Senegal’s patient positional play. Yet nerves outweighed execution, and key moments went unfinished.
The match was beautiful — but mostly in a tactical sense. Senegal and Morocco are arguably the most European-style teams on the continent, and the opening 45 minutes reflected absolute parity.
Bono keeps Morocco alive
Much of that balance was thanks to Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Once a Europa League hero with Sevilla, now finishing his career in the Middle East with Al-Hilal alongside Malcom, and born in Canada of all places — Bono had already become one of the country’s playoff heroes.
In the final, he faced Iliman Ndiaye one-on-one and produced a miraculous save that brought the stadium to its feet.
When luck refuses to choose a side
In matches this tight, chance often decides everything. Both teams had moments, but pressure repeatedly outweighed composure. Olympiacos striker Ayoub El Kaabi has finished dozens of cutbacks in his career — yet this one, just meters from goal, bounced off him as if from a trampoline. Luck alone was not enough.
A penalty that set Africa on fire
Everything was decided by a penalty. A controversial one? No — a divisive one.
Late in normal time, a Senegalese defender grabbed Brahim Díaz inside the box. After furious protests from the tournament’s top scorer, the referee went to VAR. The verdict was final: penalty.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw exploded with rage and ordered his players off the pitch. When the Atlas Lions and the Lions of Teranga clash, all of Africa watches.
Mané the peacemaker
The unlikely mediator was Sadio Mané. After speaking with the referee, he convinced his teammates to return and allow the penalty to be taken. Meanwhile, police rushed toward the away section as enraged Senegalese fans attempted to storm the field.
Díaz, the man who won the penalty, stepped up against Edouard Mendy. A run-up. A Panenka. Straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Something seemed to tremble inside Brahim — perhaps even he questioned whether this was the right moment for such audacity. Either way, a match that drained millions of fans of their emotions — and nearly stripped coach Thiaw of his soul — went into extra time.
Senegal strike back
But the psychological turning point had already passed. Morocco looked shattered. Senegal, furious and hungry, pushed forward relentlessly — to punish.
And they did.
Pap Gueye picked up the ball and unleashed a thunderous strike under the crossbar. No article could ever fully describe the emotions of the Senegalese players: some danced, some roared, some turned toward the broken Díaz…
Gold for Senegal, heartbreak for Morocco
Senegal celebrate. Through hysteria, screams, rage, and release — the gold travels to West Africa.
Morocco had waited 50 years for another continental triumph and stood just 11 meters away from history. But Díaz, Thiaw, and the cruel randomness of football refused to let the miracle happen.
Africa got its madness. Senegal got its glory. And Morocco got its tragedy.
Published by Patrick Jane
19.01.2026