Senegal's victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations: a historic triumph that defies time and controversy

Crowned African champions after a thrilling final against Morocco, Senegal made their mark on the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations far beyond the refereeing controversies. Dominating the group stage and ultimately securing the title, the Lions of Teranga achieved an exceptional run, a rare feat in the competition's history, confirming their status as a benchmark in African football.

The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations concluded Sunday in Morocco with Senegal's victory over the host nation. The final was a tense affair, marked by highly contested refereeing decisions and numerous controversies. But beyond the turmoil, one thing is clear: the Lions of Teranga achieved one of the greatest runs in the history of the AFCON.

While debates surrounding refereeing continue to fuel discussions, they cannot overshadow Senegal's near-total domination throughout the competition. Since the creation of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1957, few teams have been able to dominate a tournament from start to finish, stringing together victories in the group stage and successes in the knockout rounds, without resorting to penalty shootouts.

Under the guidance of Pape Bouna Thiaw, Senegal dominated the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with impressive technical and tactical mastery. In seven matches played, the Lions needed only one extra-time period and were never forced into a penalty shootout. This performance is all the more remarkable given that even when the AFCON only featured eight teams, such dominance was exceptional.

History reminds us that only Algeria, playing at home in 1990, had managed to win all its group matches before triumphing in the semi-final and then the final without extra time or penalties. Later, with the expansion to 16 teams, Egypt made a strong impression by winning the 2008 and 2010 editions without playing a single extra-time match. But since the tournament expanded to 24 teams, no champion has displayed such consistency and solidity.

Even Djamel Belmadi's Algeria, crowned champions in 2019 after a lauded run, had to go to extra time and penalties to eliminate Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals. Senegal, however, did better.

Statistically, Sadio Mané and his teammates have had a near-perfect run. In the group stage, the Lions won two matches, scored seven goals, and conceded only one. In the knockout stages, they conceded just one goal in four games, while scoring six. Even better, in the last three matches of the tournament, the Senegalese defense remained completely impenetrable.

Another strong symbol of this dominance: in each of Senegal's outings, a Lion has been named man of the match, proof of the team's regularity and collective depth.

Thus, despite the heated controversy surrounding the final, one conclusion is inescapable. In the more than half-century history of the Africa Cup of Nations, from its inaugural three-team edition to this 24-nation tournament, it is difficult, if not impossible, to find a champion with a more successful run than Senegal. The victory may be contested in its execution, but in essence, the Lions' performance will remain one of the greatest chapters in the history of African football.