I hate international football.
But boy, this AFCON tournament was crazy in all the right (and some of the wrong) ways. A dream run for the host team? Check. Banger goals? Check. Intra-team drama? Check. Beautiful moments from teams that have walked a heartbreaking road to even reach the tournament? Check.
Moments of potential officiating corruption? Also check.
In the end, Pape Matar Sarr’s Senegal were the tournament victors, winning a dramatic final over hosts Morocco. They had to fight to even reach the final, though. 1-0 wins against Yves Bissouma’s Mali and Mo Salah’s Egypt meant Les Lions, one of the tournament favorites, seemingly rode their luck in what ended up being a deserved AFCON win. Their final opponents, Morocco, also rode their luck, only progressing to the trophy match via a penalty shootout, claiming a narrow victory over another tournament favorite in the shape of Nigeria.
The final itself was an extraordinary event. Amongst a hostile Rabat crowd, both sides probed and pushed, before chaos erupted. First, Ismaila Sarr headed home a set piece for Senegal in stoppage time – only for the goal to be chalked off due to a push on Achraf Hakimi, a push that was more fall than shove. Morocco then almost immediately were awarded a penalty on a set piece of their own, as El Hadji Diouf grappled with Brahim Diaz. Already furious with the decision to disallow their goal, the Senegal team were incensed by this latest decision and after protests left the pitch for around quarter of an hour, only to return to the pitch after pleas from Sadio Mane.
Brahim Diaz then stepped up to take the ensuing penalty, with his weak panenka attempt only settling in Edouard Mendy’s gloves, and sparking wild celebrations amongst the Senegal supporters. With 21 minutes of added time on the clock, the match then went to extra time, with Senegal securing the winner and the trophy via a stunning strike from Pape Gueye following a sweeping counterattack.
Keen-eyed readers will note I haven’t mentioned PM Sarr very much in this summary. That’s because he was not involved at all in the knockout phase, not playing a single minute off the bench, an unusual outcome for a player often heavily involved for his national side. To make matters worse, Sarr was taken ill during the match, and was so unwell he reportedly ended up in hospital.
Though the prognosis is unclear, this means he will miss Spurs’ midweek Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, compounding Spurs’ availability woes, and probably means the AFCON campaign finishes on somewhat of a bittersweet note for the central midfielder. Nevertheless, it’s another trophy win for this Spurs squad, and I’m sure he’ll take what he can get!
Congratulations Pape Matar Sarr: Champion of Africa!
I still hate international football.
