Senegal on Sunday night defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, in a match marred by controversy, prolonged stoppages and players briefly leaving the pitch.

The dramatic final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was interrupted late in regulation time after a contentious penalty decision awarded to Morocco following a VAR review, sparking protests from Senegal players.

The penalty, awarded deep into stoppage time, led to chaotic scenes as Senegal players surrounded the referee, with play halted for several minutes.

Players from both teams eventually walked off the pitch before returning after intervention by match officials and security personnel.

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Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, with Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saving his attempted Panenka, further escalating tensions inside the stadium.

After regulation time ended goalless, the match proceeded to extra time amid a charged atmosphere. Senegal took the lead in the 94th minute when Pape Gueye struck a powerful long-range effort into the top corner.

Morocco pushed for an equaliser, hitting the crossbar and forcing late saves, but Senegal held on to secure victory in a final that saw extended delays, heated exchanges and repeated VAR interventions.

The match lasted well beyond the scheduled time due to stoppages caused by protests, referee consultations, and crowd unrest.

Senegal’s win crowned them African champions after one of the most dramatic and controversial finals in recent AFCON history, played before a packed home crowd in Rabat.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Wednesday lost 4–2 in a penalty shootout to host nation Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a tense 0–0 draw at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The semi-final was an evenly contested affair over 120 minutes, with Morocco dominating much of the attacking play, registering 16 shots to Nigeria’s 2.

Both sides created chances, but Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and Morocco’s Yassine Bounou kept their teams in the game with key saves.

Star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman struggled to influence the match, and their efforts in extra time were thwarted by the hosts’ defence and goalkeeper.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was superb at right-back, as was his counterpart on the left side, Noussair Mazraoui.

Both played prominent roles in the attack, keeping pressure on Nigeria while also limiting the impact of the Super Eagles’ attackers.

The Atlas Lions held their nerve in the shootout, with En-Nesyri converting the decisive penalty to send the home team into the final.

Nigeria’s hopes were dashed when Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyamaechi failed to convert, giving Morocco a 4–2 shootout victory.

Both Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored, while Chukwueze missed, and Onyamaechi’s attempt was saved.

Morocco will now face Senegal in Sunday’s final, aiming to claim only their second AFCON title, following their last triumph in 1976.

Nigeria will contest third place on Saturday with Egypt, who lost 1–0 to Senegal earlier on Wednesday.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles this Sunday night, November 16, 2025, lost to the Leopards of DR Congo in the CAF playoff final of the 2026 World Cup, thus ending their quest to pick a ticket to the intercontinental play-offs.

Nigeria took an early lead when midfielder Frank Onyeka powered home a loose ball in the third minute during the tense encounter decided at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

Zaidu Sanusi’s cross had been deflected by a DR Congo defender, and Onyeka lashed the ball into the bottom corner for the opener.

The hard-fighting Congolese were back on terms in the 32nd minute when Alex Iwobi was caught in possession, and Bakambu put the ball on a plate for Meschak Elia, who tapped home from close range.

On the restart, Head Coach Eric Chelle made a number of quick changes, pulling off goal king Victor Osimhen for upcoming Akor Adams, Ademola Lookman for Chidera Ejuke and Samuel Chukwueze for Moses Simon.

The changes seemed to backfire, as Nigeria literally collapsed, handing the initiative to DR Congo, who came close to scoring a number of times.

No other goal came during regulation time, forcing the match into 30 minutes extra time that equally produced no goal.

In the ensuing penalty shootout, DRCongo came out victorious despite Nwabali saving two kicks. The match ended 4-3.

With this victory, DR Congo have advanced to a six-nation intercontinental tournament in Mexico this March, featuring top teams from every football region except Europe.

For Nigeria, it is a second consecutive absence from the Mundial. The 2026 World Cup will see a record 48 nations compete across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.