Senegal's head coach Pape Thiaw holds the trophy after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match agaisnt Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Senegal clinched their second Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday night after overcoming host nation Morocco in a grueling 120-minute battle. A decisive extra-time strike from Pape Gueye in the 94th minute secured the 1-0 win for the Teranga Lions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The match turned during a dramatic final sequence in regulation time when Edouard Mendy comfortably saved a “Panenka” penalty attempt from Brahim Diaz, a miss that ultimately allowed Senegal to push the contest into an additional 30 minutes.
Following the conclusion of the tournament in Rabat, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the individual honors during a star-studded closing ceremony. Senegal’s veteran forward Sadio Mane received the Player of the Tournament award for his influential leadership and clinical performances throughout the campaign. Despite his late penalty heartbreak, Morocco’s Brahim Diaz secured the Golden Boot after finishing as the competition’s top scorer with five goals.
The host nation also received recognition for their defensive solidity and sportsmanship. Yassine Bounou claimed the Best Goalkeeper award after conceding only two goals throughout the entire tournament and keeping multiple clean sheets. Furthermore, tournament officials presented Morocco with the Fair Play Team award, acknowledging their disciplined conduct during the high-stakes month of competition. These accolades mark the end of a historic tournament that saw Senegal reaffirm their status as the dominant force in African football.
AFCON 2025 Award Winners
| Category | Winner | Nationality |
| Champions | Senegal | Senegal |
| Player of the Tournament | Sadio Mane | Senegal |
| Top Goal Scorer (Golden Boot) | Brahim Diaz (5 Goals) | Morocco |
| Best Goalkeeper | Yassine Bounou | Morocco |
| Fair Play Team | Morocco | Morocco |