Nobody could have predicted that the 2025 edition of AFCON would finish the way it did.

The tournament had progressed predictably with all the major countries qualifying for the later stages, culminating in an end tie between two of the best teams.

Despite hosts Morocco stumbling at times they went into the final contest as slight favourites, especially given the fanatical local support generated within the impressive Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. 

They had the whole country willing them on to lift the AFCON trophy for only the second time in their history, and the first for some 50 years.

But it was not to be, as the match hinged on one dramatic moment.

Given the chance to take a last minute penalty many Moroccan fans would surely choose a more experienced player (eg En-Nesyri or their captain Hakimi) instead of Brahim Diaz. 

But it was the Spanish born player who stepped up, only to weakly chip the ball into the arms of the Senegal goalie and thus take the match into extra time.

Who knows what was in his mind – he certainly had plenty of time to consider after the long delay following the original award of a spot kick.

That extended pause was caused by the Senegal bench’s protests after the West Africans had a goal disallowed as well as that equally debatable penalty decision against them.

No one could condone their behaviour and it was only their captain, Sadio Mane, who stayed on the pitch (when it seemed the match might not restart) and thus emerged with great credit.

In the end Mane’s actions, he ended up as the Player of the Tournament, turned out well for the Teranga Lions.

The Senegalese had looked the better team in the first half when they produced two good chances from a Pape Gueye header and a break from Iliman Ndiaye.

Both times the excellent Bounou saved those efforts and the home goalie would go on to keep his side in the contest.

Although the second period was more even it was Pape Thiaw’s men who usually looked the more threatening with their midfield strength of Gana Gueye, Gueye, and Camara.

While they kept Hakimi mostly under control the Atlas Lions danger often came more from Ezzalzoui down the left.

But neither team could engineer a breakthrough until, almost out of the blue, we had that dramatic conclusion.

Extra time began as the weather turned colder and wetter, before a superb strike from Pape Gueye decided the outcome.

Even the excellent Bounou couldn’t get near that one.

In other circumstances that goal would be forever remembered but it will, inevitably, be overshadowed by the second half fracas and the inexplicable ‘Penanka’ by Diaz.  

Both sides would have subsequent half chances later in the period but neither could score.

And so for the home fans (who splashed their way home as the rain poured down) it will probably have to be a wait of at least another two years to see their heroes lift the AFCON trophy.

They took defeat very well, perhaps stunned by what happened, as those Senegal fans without tickets made their way to join their compatriots in celebrating in the emptying stadium.

Ultimately Morocco had staged a generally well organised AFCON in some very impressive stadiums and they, of course, couldn’t be blamed for the amount of rain or the sometimes chilly evenings.

Analysis from Rabat – John Bethell