The Lions of Teranga are champions of Africa for the second time after Pape Gueye's extra-time blockbuster sealed a 1-0 success over the tournament host in Rabat.

Gueye's stunning effort came after Edouard Mendy saved a terrible Panenka penalty from Brahim Diaz 24 minutes into second-half stoppage time, with the spot-kick being delayed for over 15 minutes after Senegal coach Pape Thiaw told his players to leave the pitch and refuse to play.

Senegal is expected to face sanctions over its walk-off, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) criticising its "unacceptable behaviour" in a statement.

That was not the only source of controversy as, throughout the game, several ball boys were seen to steal towels from Senegal shot-stopper Mendy before throwing them into the crowd.

Footage shared on social media showed Diouf standing near the goal and handing his team-mate a towel when required, only to be confronted by several ball boys.

At one point, the Nice goalkeeper appeared to be thrown onto the pitch before a group of ball boys attempted to drag him off the playing area by his legs, while a suited official and multiple Morocco players were also seen to confront him.

Diouf saw the funny side after Senegal's success, taunting Morocco with a post to his Instagram story.

Alongside a photo of himself in the dressing room and a laughing emoji, Diouf wrote: "There it is – the medal and the towel."

Diaz's Panenka was Morocco's fifth unsuccessful penalty at AFCON.

In the same period, Senegal's goalkeepers have saved two of the four penalties they have faced, with only Zambia's keepers doing better (three saves).

Gueye's goal, meanwhile, was Senegal's first in four AFCON final appearances, having beaten Egypt on penalties following a goalless draw in 2021, following defeats to Cameroon in 2002 and Algeria in 2019.

Morocco is the fourth host nation to lose an AFCON final and the second to do so in extra time, after Tunisia lost 3-2 to Ghana in 1965.