Bayern Munich will be welcoming an African champion back to Säbener Straße in the form of Nicolas Jackson.
The Senegalese striker, on loan from Chelsea, started up front in the Africa Cup of Nations final against hosts Morocco. However, the game did not yield too much, and it looked as if both teams were headed for another 30 minutes. Jackson himself got subbed off in the third minute of stoppage time.
But then, it happened.
First, Senegal scored off a corner in the 92nd minute (before Jackson went
off). However, the goal was disallowed for a foul without consulting VAR. Naturally, the Senegalese players were fuming, especially since the foul in question seemed, well, questionable.
Six minutes later, with basically the last corner of the game, Morocco were awarded a penalty after a VAR check. Senegal’s entire team was livid that VAR had intervened this time, so much so that coach Pape Thiaw furiously ordered his players off the pitch and into the dressing room. This writer has watched football for 17 years now, but this was a first.
Had the Senegalese players stayed indoors, the final would most likely have been awarded to Morocco. However, Bayern alum Sadio Mané refused to give in, and ushered his teammates back onto the pitch, choosing to put his eggs into the basket of hope that was just barely hanging by a thread.
After another delay caused by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and his mind games, Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz stepped up to take the penalty, and win his country their first AFCON title in 50 years…only to Panenka it safely into Mendy’s arms. After a whopping 20+ minutes of stoppage time and drama, the game was still somehow scoreless.
Morocco were naturally shattered, and they paid dearly for it, as Senegal’s Pape Gueye gave his side the lead with a thunderous left-footed shot into the top corner with three minutes gone in extra time. Against all odds, Senegal were ahead, and it stayed that way for the remaining 20 odd minutes of the game. Senegal were crowned champions of Africa for the second time in history.
What a final this was. One could not write a script like this and expect people to believe it, yet here we are. Ah, football. This is why it is the most popular sport on the planet. No one knows how any game will end. Some might be as crazy as this one. Some might see a team get beat up in the first half and deliver quite the rebound in the second. Whatever the case, this is why billions of people love this sport.
Many congratulations to both Jackson and Mané on winning the title, and for joining Bayern alum Bouna Sarr (remember him?) as African champions!
