Moroccan fans were left stunned and disappointed Sunday night as Senegal defeated the hosts to lift the Africa Cup of Nations title in an extra-time thriller at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
As the final whistle approached on a cold and wet night, many of the Atlas Lion’s fan began streaming out of the stadium in despair.
“We cried in the final against Tunisia in 2004, and tonight the same scenario repeats itself. That’s very hard to take,” said Ismail Korradj, 30, speaking moments after the final whistle.
At a cafe in central Rabat festooned with Moroccan flags, the defeat was deeply felt.
Still, Morocco “lost with their heads held high”, said Laila Bourezma, 32. “The defeat leaves us with bitterness, but our players gave everything.”
Oumaima Boukrab, 34, said Morocco “showed beautiful football throughout the tournament”, adding: “The players were excellent. We salute them, and we’re proud of them.”
The North African team were touching distance away from ending a 50-year curse and lifting the cup when they were awarded a controversial last-gasp penalty.
But Senegal’s Edouard Mendy easily saved an audacious Panenka chip by Brahim Diaz, following a lengthy protest by the Senegalese contingent against the penalty decision that led the game to be paused for nearly 20 minutes after the players walked off the pitch.
Just four minutes into extra-time, Senegal struck the decisive goal, silencing the home crowd and crushing Moroccan hopes of lifting the trophies for the first time since 1976.
Outside the stadium, Senegalese fans gathered after the game to celebrate what marked their second AFCON Title, adding to their triumph in 2021.
“We won, but Morocco is always with us, so it’s two African countries that won,” said 42-year-old Senegalese supporter Abdoul who did not state his last name.
The Senegalese supporters were a smaller fraction compared to the tens of thousands of Moroccans present in the total crowd of 66,526 at the stadium.
But their cheers and joy of winning were felt nonetheless.
“Today, Senegal won. Tomorrow, Morocco will win,” said Salim Bom, another Senegalese supporter. “They’re our brothers and they welcomed us here.”
“We’ve been preparing for this great match for a very long time,” said 43-year-old Senegalese supporter Bassirou Gueye.
“However, there’s a lot of work that CAF (AFCON’s organising body) needs to do regarding the referees.”
When Congolese match referee Jean-Jacques Ndala gave the penalty right at the end of the game, most of the Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest.
Some Senegalese fans at the opposite end of the stadium threw chairs and other objects and attempted to get onto the field of play.
But they were eventually contained by a large barrier of police and stewards, and their anger turned to delight and disbelief when the penalty was saved after the game restarted.
“We are so happy to have won, but it’s Africa that won,” said Adja Cisse, a 30-year-old Senegalese woman.
“Morocco and Senegal are brothers. The cup belongs to Senegal and Morocco. Long live Africa.”
