14 h. ago How Sadio Mané’s calm saved the Afcon final from absolute chaos

The veteran is known for his sense of responsibility And it was apparent as his Senegal teammates threatened to quit African’s football’s showpieceSign up for Soccer with Jonathan Wilson hereSadio Mané has done many great things for Senegal and for Senegalese football, but what he did on Sunday evening, in what he confirmed would be his last Cup of Nations game, was perhaps greater than his winning goal in Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final, greater than his penalty to win the World Cup qualifying play-off against Egypt in 2022, greater even than his decisive penalty in the 2021 final.When Senegal stormed off the pitch in protest at the award of a penalty against them eight minutes into injury-time at the end of the Cup of Nations final, African football faced a crisis. For this to happen at all was embarrassing, for it to happen in the final of the confederation’s showpiece would have been a humiliation – not least because many may have felt that Senegal had a point. Refe...

Events

17 h. ago Prince Harry at court and an Afcon victory dance: photos of the day – Monday

The Guardian’s picture editors select photos from around the world Continue reading...

Culture

17 h. ago Prince Harry at court and an Afcon victory dance in Dakar: photos of the day – Monday

The Guardian’s picture editors select some of the most powerful photos from around the world Continue reading...

Culture

17 h. ago Senegal receive punishment verdict but Sadio Mane hailed after AFCON final drama

THE BIG DEBATE: The 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos after Senegal's players walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco were given a stoppage-time penalty

Events

19 h. ago Morocco to pursue legal action over loss to Senegal in Africa Cup of Nations final

Hosts believe Senegal walk-off affected game’s outcomeBrahim Díaz says his ‘soul hurts’ after Panenka dramaMorocco’s football federation has announced it will pursue legal action over Sunday’s chaotic and controversial Africa Cup of Nations final based on a belief that the decision of Senegal’s players to leave the pitch, causing a 15-minute delay, had a material impact on the result.Senegal secured their second Afcon title via a 1-0 victory at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, Pape Gueye scoring the only goal on 94 minutes. But that came after an incredible denouement to normal time, with Morocco awarded a penalty when El Hadji Malick Diouf was penalised, after a VAR review, for a pull on Brahim Díaz as he defended a corner. It was a somewhat harsh call and led to the majority of those in green, upon instructions from their manager, Pape Thiaw, walking off in protest. They eventually returned and, soon after, Díaz took the hosts’ spot-kick, only to miss after failing with ...

Politics

19 h. ago Morocco to pursue legal action over chaotic end to Africa Cup of Nations final

Hosts believe Senegal walk-off affected game’s outcomeBrahim Díaz says his ‘soul hurts’ after Panenka dramaMorocco’s football federation has announced it will pursue legal action over the chaotic and controversial Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday based on a belief that the decision of Senegal’s players to leave the pitch, causing a 15-minute delay, had a material impact on the result.Senegal secured their second Afcon title via a 1-0 victory at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, Pape Gueye scoring the only goal on 94 minutes. But that came after an incredible denouement to normal time with Morocco awarded a penalty when El Hadji Malick Diouf was penalised, following a video assistant referee review, for a pull on Brahim Díaz as he defended a corner. Continue reading...

Politics

20 h. ago Why did Senegal players walk off against Morocco? How one decision sent Afcon final into meltdown

Senegal walked off the pitch in protest to a contentious late penalty decision against them, before Brahim Diaz stunningly missed his spot-kick with an inexplicable ‘Panenka’ effort

Sport

20 h. ago Sadio Mane, 33, celebrates Senegal's AFCON victory with his 20

Mane pictured with his 20-year-old wife Aisha Tamba and their first child following the final, where the 33-year-old enhanced his legacy by convincing Senegal to resume the match after a protest.

Politics

21 h. ago Sadio Mane explains why he stopped Senegal’s Afcon final protest

Sadio Mane persuaded his Senegal team-mates to return to the pitch after they walked off following the decision to award Morocco a stoppage-time penalty

Events

22 h. ago Sadio Mane explains AFCON actions as Senegal star defied team protest with powerful message

Sadio Mane was central in getting the AFCON final back on track after Senegal had walked off in protest after a late penalty decision - before ending up victorious

Events

24 h. ago Sadio Mane praised after ending Senegal protest in chaotic Afcon final

In what was possibly his final Africa Cup of Nations match for Senegal, Mane convinced his team-mates to return to the pitch after their extraordinary walk-off protest

Events

30 h. ago Senegal erupts in joy after dramatic win to take the Africa Cup of Nations

Senegal is celebrating after its soccer team defeated Morocco 1-0 to win the Africa Cup of Nations

Events

32 h. ago Pape Gueye fires Senegal to Afcon glory against Morocco after walk

This had been, by general agreement, the most predictable, least dramatic Cup of Nations in living memory. And that was true, until eight minutes into injury time in the final, when a video assistant referee decision contrived to produce perhaps the most ludicrous finale to any major final in history. Senegal won it, but that is a tiny detail in the denouement that erupted. There was a walk-off in protest, a missed Panenka and a brilliant winning goal from Pape Gueye.The chaos began two minutes into injury time when Abdoulaye Seck was penalised for a slight push on Achraf Hakimi as he headed against the post. Ismaïla Sarr nodded in, but the whistle had already gone. Four minutes later, Adam Masina was penalised, following a VAR review, for a pull on Morocco’s Brahim Díaz as he defended a corner. For Senegal, already convinced there was a plot against them, that was too much and the majority of their players stormed off. Sadio Mané seemed notably reluctant to go, and it was he who ev...

Events

48 h. ago Is the Africa Cup of Nations final on TV? How to watch Morocco v Senegal for free

Morocco dream of a home title while Sadio Mane’s Senegal look to become two-time champions

Politics

3 d. ago Morocco hosts Senegal for the Africa Cup final. Here's what you need to know

Morocco hosts Senegal in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, ending a four-week tournament that showcased the continent's best soccer

Politics

3 d. ago Liverpool consider drafting Mo Salah straight back into squad for Marseille trip

Forward due to fly back from Afcon on SundayLiverpool play Champions League game on WednesdayLiverpool are in talks with Mohamed Salah over the forward making an immediate return to Arne Slot’s squad for their Champions League trip to Marseille next week.Salah is due back at Liverpool after Egypt’s involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations ends on Saturday. Egypt face Nigeria in a third-place play-off in Casablanca after suffering another loss to a Sadio Mané-inspired Senegal in the semi-finals. The 33-year-old Salah travelled to Morocco with uncertainty surrounding his future having accused the club of throwing him “under the bus” after a poor run of results and claiming he no longer had a relationship with Slot. Liverpool are unbeaten in the 11 matches since Slot first dropped Salah at West Ham. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Mo Salah's 'problem' with Sadio Mane and 'selfish' jibe as Liverpool star hurt again

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane played alongside each other for five years at Liverpool, combining for 35 goals and various major honours

Politics

4 d. ago When Mohamed Salah will return to Liverpool as Egypt are knocked out of AFCON

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is expected to return to Anfield this week after Egypt's AFCON campaign ended with a 1-0 semi-final defeat to Sadio Mane's Senegal

Politics

4 d. ago Sadio Mane shows true colours with Mo Salah comments after Liverpool icons clash

Sadio Mane has sent a message of support to Mohamed Salah after the Liverpool forward's Africa Cup of Nations heartbreak, with Egypt suffering semi-final defeat to Senegal

Politics

4 d. ago Mo Salah setback 'proves Jamie Carragher right' as Liverpool fans say the same thing

Mohamed Salah's Egypt were knocked out of the African Cup of Nations by Senegal, led by Sadio Mane

Politics