The Lions of Teranga were crowned champions of Africa for the second time in their history after edging hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in the final that was marred by controversy in the closing stages.
The decisive moment arrived just three minutes into extra time when Pape Gueye unleashed a stunning left-footed strike from the edge of the area. Gueye’s strike came after Morocco had wasted an opportunity to take the lead in extra time of normal regulation.
The Atlas Lions were awarded a late penalty following a VAR review, but goalkeeper Edouard Mendy stopped Brahim Diaz’s attempted panenka kick forcing the final beyond the 90 minutes, which Senegal used to carry the day.
‘It was really very strange’
Speaking in a latest interview, a few days after the AFCON concluded, Bacary Cisse, member of the FSF and president of the Communication Commission, detailed how Senegal players turned sick hours before the final game kicked off in Rabat.
“I called Sadio Mane, and he explained to me that Krepin Diatta had felt unwell and had been taken to the hospital. It was only later that we learned he had been replaced in the starting eleven,” said Cisse in an interview with TFM.
Cisse, who was present on the sidelines during the final, continued: “During the players’ warm-up, three minutes later, I saw Ousseynou Niang collapse.
“Mayacine told me he had the same symptoms as Krepin Diatta. Diatta was sitting in a wheelchair, seemingly losing control of his tongue; it was truly disastrous.
“He was then taken to the hospital. Pape Matar Sarr, who had warmed up before halftime, also collapsed in the locker room at the break. He had the same symptoms as Krepin and Ousseynou. It was complicated for Krepin, and for Pape Matar and Ousseynou, it seemed even more serious. It was really very strange.”
Discussing the chaos that erupted after Morocco had been awarded a penalty, Cisse blamed the match referee for making a poor decision.
“It all started with a play and a poor refereeing decision, but that’s normal because it’s part of the sequence of events in a match. Between Morocco and Senegal, there are ties that go beyond football, but at some point, everyone has to defend their country’s colors,” added Cisse.
“Everyone saw that Senegal scored a valid goal. At no point did Achraf (Hakimi) pay attention to the ball; he focused on Abdoulaye Seck, because he knew he wouldn’t give anything away in the air.”
Cisse continued: “The referee’s decisions, especially the offside that led to the corner and the penalty, created natural frustration, while the Senegalese players have remained humble so far, even in victory.
“There was no noise, no provocation. Their attitude reflected humility and concentration, as if they had already lost the match, so focused were they on their objective.”
Senegal ready for any eventuality
Cisse further said Senegal are focused in celebrating their success in Morocco, but will be ready for any further sanctions meted on them from Confederation of African Football (CAF) or World governing body FIFA.
“There is a lot of noise surrounding these events, but Senegal remains focused. We have competent leaders who are fully aware of the regulations,” explained Cisse.
“For the moment, we will savor our victory, remain calm, and issue no comments or statements. We have competent leaders, and we will prepare for anything.”
The 2022 AFCON marked the best ever result in Senegalese football history, with the team falling to Cameroon 3-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the final.
Senegal once again finished as runners-up in 2019, losing the final 1-0 to Algeria, before the nation finally won their first AFCON title in 2021, defeating Egypt on penalties in the final.
