Morocco star Brahim Diaz admits his "soul hurts" after missing a crucial penalty in his country's Africa Cup of Nations final loss to Senegal. The Real Madrid ace won Morocco a controversial penalty deep into stoppage time, but his tame Panenka was easily saved by Edouard Mendy. As Diaz reflects on their 1-0 defeat, Morocco are said to be considering legal action in light of Senegal's in-game walk-off protest.
It has been revealed that Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr was rushed to hospital after falling ill during the Africa Cup of Nations final. The 23-year-old had been named among Senegal’s substitutes for a meeting with hosts Morocco. He never made it onto the field and missed post-match celebrations, following a chaotic contest, after requiring medical assistance.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed disciplinary proceedings against Senegal following their dramatic AFCON victory. The Lions of Teranga staged a controversial walk-off protesting a late penalty for Morocco, delaying the conclusion of the final by 14 minutes. Despite returning to win, the governing body and FIFA president Gianni Infantino have condemned the "unacceptable" scenes in Rabat.
The Lions of Teranga controversially beat the Atlas Lions on Sunday night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium to secure their second continental crown in the last three editions of Afcon. It was another sad and disappointing ending for the North African nation that last conquered Africa in 1976.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) concluded in Morocco on Sunday with Senegal's Lions of Teranga winning it in extra time over favourites the Atlas Lions. There have been huge comparisons made between Masandawana's 'Sailor' and the PSG star.
There are only three certainties in life: death, taxes and a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations. However, even by the tournament's extraordinary standards, the final of the 2025 edition was like nothing we've ever seen before - albeit not in a good way. In the 93rd minute of a tense but largely uneventful encounter in Rabat, Senegal had a goal from Ismaila Sarr very harshly disallowed for a perceived foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi beforehand. Just moments later, Morocco were awarded a penalty after an invention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), who had spotted a minor tug on Brahim Diaz's shirt by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Sadio Mane has explained his decision to prevent Senegal from walking off during a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final clash with hosts Morocco. A number of controversial decisions incensed the Senegalese squad, with the award of a penalty following a supposed foul on Brahim Diaz leading to some players heading off the pitch. Ex-Liverpool star Mane was able to beckon them back.
The Africa Cup of Nations final ended in acrimony and confusion well after the final whistle as Senegal boss Pape Thiaw stormed out of his press conference following a hostile reception from the media. On a night of high drama where his side claimed victory after initially walking off the pitch over a controversial penalty decision, Morocco manager Walid Regragui also faced the wrath of the local press, with furious journalists urging him to resign after the hosts’ 50-year wait for the trophy was extended in heartbreaking fashion.
The 2025 finalists served the continent and the world with pure footballing drama, from a controversial penalty to a protest and a late, fate-deciding goal, which will be remembered for years to come. The Lions of Teranga, who appeared in their third final in the last four editions, withstood the storm and became the African champions once again. Morocco, who came close to ending their 50-year wait for another continental trophy, will live to fight another day after narrowly missing out on the title on home soil.
Morocco talisman Brahim Diaz missed a 114th-minute penalty against Senegal in the AFCON final after inexplicably trying a Panenka chip, which was easily saved by opposition goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The Real Madrid ace blew the chance to win the trophy for his country after the Senegal squad had stormed off in protest against the initial award of the penalty.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the Teranga Lions' clash with the Atlas Lions at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Sunday. This is a deciding match of this continental competition between teams that have each been crowned African champions once before. A lot is at stake in Rabat on Sunday with the hosts out to avoid humiliation on home soil while the West Africans would be keen to cause an upset.
Following the unexpected announcement by the Confederation of African Football a month ago that the Africa Cup of Nations will be staged every four years from 2028, the football fraternity was left with questions, with some publicly criticising the decision and alleging European influence. However, the Masandawana owner has moved to clear the air, firmly denying any involvement from the Western World.
Nigerian singer-songwriter Burna Boy is shouldering the responsibility of championing African culture and heritage by launching a landmark new campaign ahead of Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco. The initiative comprises music, fashion, sport, film and storytelling, aiming to assert ownership of African narratives. To mark the occasion, Burna Boy has dropped a new music video featuring a host of influential figures from the football world.
After falling to beat Morocco in the post-match penalties in the semi-final, this time around, the Super Eagles were sharp as they outclassed the Pharaohs. The West Africans clinched a record-extending AFCON bronze medal following their win over Salah-led Egypt. Now that the battle for bronze has been settled, all eyes are on the ultimate prize, which will be contested for on Sunday between Senegal and the hosts, Morocco.
Before heading off to represent Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations, Brahim Diaz thanked Real Madrid fans for all of their support in 2025 before adding, "See you all next year, full of excitement." However, the player and his club's supporters could not be experiencing more contrasting starts to 2026. While Brahim was bursting with joy after Morocco beat Nigeria on penalties on Wednesday to move just one win away from ending the nation's 50-year wait for a second AFCON title, Madridistas were exploding with rage after watching their team suffer a second demoralising defeat in five days.
In a wide-ranging blog interview, the former AFCON winner revealed his views on the tournament's semi final stage, the battle between Mane and Salah, the upcoming final and picks his standout players.
The Africa Cup of Nations finals is heading to the ultimate stage, and to every South African football fan, they had to believe their team had the ability to reach this stage. However, Bafana were eliminated quite early; Cameroon's Indomitable Lions proved too strong for them and eliminated the 1996 AFCON champions in the Round of 16. Since elimination, criticism, counter-criticism and the blame game have been the order of the day, and many fingers have pointed to one man: Broos.
The Super Eagles came into the match hoping to go all the way and make amends for the shortcomings that saw them finish second two years ago in the Ivory Coast. However, they were not going to get it easy playing the Atlas Lions, who have enjoyed massive home support since the start of the biennial competition.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the Super Eagles' semi-final clash with the Atlas Lions at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Wednesday. The West Africans will be out to cause what might be the biggest upset of this tournament so far by eliminating the hosts. Both sides are just one game away from reaching the final and that makes Wednesday's game a high-stakes affair.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has formally opened disciplinary proceedings following a series of ugly incidents that marred the quarter-final stages of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Officials have confirmed that investigations are underway regarding "unacceptable behaviour" from players and staff during the high-profile clashes involving the hosts, Cameroon, Algeria and Nigeria.
Morocco
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