AFCON Final decends into chaos

After 52 amazing games, The Senegal Lions are Africa Cup of Nations champions once again! The Lions beat home nation Morrocco in the final, but people are calling it the craziest final in footballing history.

The final began slowly until the 92^nd minute of the game, Crystal Palace player Ismaila Sarr scored what the Senegalese believed to be the winning goal. However, it was disallowed by the referee. The decision was made because of a foul to Achraf Hakimi. The referee blew his whistle before the ball has entered the net, meaning VAR couldn’t intervene and overrule the on-field decision.

Fast-forward only 6 minutes, El Hadji Malick Diouf commits a controversial foul in the box on Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz. In the few minutes that followed while VAR intervened, chaos ensued as the Senegalese and Moroccan players argued with yellow cards thrown around like sweets. The decision was ultimately given as a penalty which led to one of the biggest moments in AFCON history.

After the decision of the penalty the Senegal players and management were furious, with phone calls being made, fans trying to get on the pitch and ultimately the Senegal players leaving the pitch entirely in protest of what had happened. Many people saw the penalty as soft and unfair due to the fact it went to VAR and Senegal’s goal didn’t. Eventually after 20 minutes Sadio Mane brought his team back out onto the pitch to let the penalty take place.

After the pressure and chaos, Diaz took the penalty which landed straight in the goalkeepers’ hands. A penalty being compared to the likes of Baggio and Terry’s final misses. After extra time, Pape Gueye scored a wonder goal in the 94^th minute to take Senegal ahead and win them their well-deserved AFCON title.