BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN-ROSE
Senegal are Africa Cup of Nations champions after a 1-0 win against Morocco in a chaotic final in Rabat.
Pape Gueye, 26, scored the only goal of the game with a shocking strike into the top corner in extra time.
There were unprecedented scenes in second-half stoppage time as Brahim Diaz missed a controversial penalty, which was awarded on VAR review after he was judged to have been fouled by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Senegal players left the field in protest at that decision and after a premature decision ensured VAR could not intervene when Ismaila Sarr thought he had given his side the lead moments before.
Fans broke through hoardings in the stands in the wake of the penalty decision in the ninth minute of added time.
Refereeing decision did nothing to help AFCON’s reputation.
It was reported that former Morocco midfielder Hassan Kachloul criticised Senegal’s decision to come off the pitch, saying that with those scenes being shown to the world, that: “Africa is losing and football is losing.”
I think the 52-year-old is right to an extent. AFCON already has a reputation. We all know what that reputation is.
Yes, you wouldn’t see a team protest a penalty decision in that fashion in the World Cup or in a top European competition. The scenes are unsavoury and unsportsmanlike for sure.
That being said, a decision like that (in addition to some of the other questionable refereeing decisions at this tournament) also shed a bad light on AFCON.
Pape Gueye will be a hero in his country for as long as he lives.
I can’t remember many, if any, better goals in the final of a major tournament than that stick of dynamite from the Senegal midfielder.
We know that he is capable of a special strike on that left foot, but I don’t think anyone was expecting that when he stopped onto Idrissa Gana Gueye’s pass.
Gueye netted the goal in the 108th minute bringing Senegal to victory over host, Morocco.
