“There will be no second star for Morocco,” read the headline of Le360.ma, referring to the symbol of an Africa Cup of Nations title being sewn on the shirt of the winning team. “The most prestigious African title is at odds with Morocco. The dream and the ambition will have to wait some time,” laments the writer, Abdelkader El-Aine.
It is now 50 years since Morocco won their only Afcon. This month, as hosts of the tournament, Morocco had started to dream of a second title. That became a nightmare on Sunday evening in Rabat.
Senegal are the 2025 Afcon winners, defeating the hosts in a chaotic and extraordinary final. In added time Senegal had a goal disallowed before Morocco were awarded a penalty. Senegal were so infuriated they walked off the pitch, resulting in a long delay. Brahim Díaz then missed the spot-kick and the final went to extra time. Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in the 94th minute.
The Morocco head coach, Walid Regragui, was singled out for criticism after the defeat. “Regragui didn’t bring the cup like he promised”, Le Matin newspaper reported. “The final had the best outcome for the Lions, but not the Atlas ones. Walid will regret this evening as he said he was the one able to bring the Afcon title to Morocco.”
Hesport.com said: “Senegal snatched the Afcon title but … Morocco wins every other prize,” pointing to the fact that the Atlas Lions won awards for best goalkeeper, top scorer and fair play. The big one, though, eluded them.
Morocco had the best defence in the tournament, having conceded only one goal in the group stage against Mali, before Gueye’s left‑footed screamer flew past Yassine Bounou. The latter produced several miraculous interventions during the game to keep it goalless.
Elbotola.com noted that “Regragui was avoiding to answer the question on whether he’d resign” after the defeat. “During the press conference, the coach refused to address the direct question, in a heavy atmosphere in the room, following a tense game.”
It is still unclear if Regragui is going to stay on as head coach. His record at the helm of the Atlas Lions is objectively the best, reaching a World Cup semi-final in 2022 and an Afcon final three years later. But football usually remembers the winners and Regragui has not won any silverware with Morocco. Díaz, naturally, was another focus of the media with Rue20.com running the headline: “Brahim Díaz apologises to the Moroccan people”, detailing the Real Madrid player’s statement after he attempted a Panenka penalty, and saw it easily saved.
Senegal, on the other hand, have now won a second Afcon title, with a Senegalese coach, Pape Thiaw, at the helm. Wiwsport.com wrote: “The stoppage time was chaotic, with a made-up penalty given to Morocco, sparking Senegalese outrage. Pape Thiaw asked his players to leave the pitch in protest, setting off the fans who tried to invade the pitch and threw several projectiles.”
RTS, Senegal’s national radio and television broadcaster, said that “the Lions were stronger than that injustice” and added that it was “a historical second title for Senegal, acquired at the end of an intense final, marked by controversy”.
