The Sports Buff ⚽️ ⚾️ 🏈

A left-footed strike by Villareal’s Pape Gueye, at the start of extra-time, helped West African side Senegal triumph in the final of the African Cup of Nations against hosts and pre-tournament favourites Morocco 1-0.

In reflection, Pape Thiaw’s side deserved the win; they were the better side and showed more intent to win the game. North African giants Morocco were no means out of the game, but were second best in this one.

In normal time they had willing runners, but Senegal were aggressive in their approach, which arguably stifled The Atlas Lions. Morocco, who hadn’t won AFCON since 1976, were no doubt expecting to beat 2021 winners Senegal.

The Senegalese side didn’t read the script, however, and were worthy of their win. Not even some questionable refereeing decisions at the end, where Senegal had a goal arguably wrongfully ruled out for offside.

To make matters worse, a harsh penalty was awarded against the West African giants in the dying moments of the game.

In what was a good final that was well-contested, it transcended into utter chaos as Senegal manager Thiaw ordered his players to come off the pitch in a blatant protest, following a very questionable penalty award to Morocco.

This debacle, which no doubt was a bad reflection on the African game, saw Senegal not come out onto the pitch for nearly 10 minutes. When they returned, tournament top scorer Brahim Diaz was left to take the penalty.

Edouard Mendy, the opposition goalkeeper, was at his mischievous best, as he used all the tactics under the sun to try and put off Diaz, the Moroccan penalty-taker.

The tactics worked, you can say, as Diaz, rather tamely, chipped the ball into the grateful hands of Mendy. Justice was served, some would argue, and Brahim’s penalty miss was the last kick of normal time.

Extra-time the final went, and it didn’t take long for the opening goal to be scored. Villareal’s Pape Gueye, who was set up by namesake Idrissa, let fly an unstoppable drive with his left foot that Morocco goalkeeper Yasine Bonou, who made a smart save to stop N’Diaye earlier in the game, was powerless to stop.