Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, is set to begin an official visit to Morocco on Monday, against the backdrop of lingering tensions following the detention of Senegalese supporters after the Africa Cup of Nations final, officials have confirmed.
Eighteen Senegalese fans remain in pre-trial detention in Morocco, where they are facing charges related to hooliganism during the AFCON final played on January 18.
Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time in the match. Legal proceedings against the supporters began on Thursday at a court in Rabat but were adjourned until January 29.
Despite the incident, relations between Senegal and Morocco remain broadly cooperative, spanning areas such as tourism, energy, infrastructure, and transport, while the two nations also share deep religious and cultural ties.
Sonko’s visit is taking place within the framework of a joint Senegal–Morocco commission scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, according to a source at Senegal’s foreign ministry. As part of the visit, a Moroccan-Senegalese economic forum will also be held, the Moroccan state news agency MAP reported.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has expressed regret over the incidents involving the fans, while Sonko has publicly called for calm and the de-escalation of tensions. Nevertheless, rival supporters from both countries have continued to exchange sharp remarks on social media platforms.
Triumph Amid Controversy
Senegal claimed a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday, shocking hosts Morocco with a 1-0 victory in extra time, in a final overshadowed by chaotic scenes following a contentious penalty decision.
Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty at the very end of the eight minutes of added time after a VAR review of a challenge on Diaz in the box by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf. Moroccan players, substitutes, and coaching staff angrily demanded a review of the footage, but the decision to award the spot-kick provoked fury among Senegal’s players and supporters.
As several Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest, some fans in the away section hurled chairs and other objects and attempted to invade the pitch. Police and stewards eventually contained them behind a heavy security cordon.
Tensions swung dramatically when the penalty was saved, turning anger into disbelief and jubilation among Senegal supporters. Earlier, Senegal had already been frustrated by the referee’s decision to rule out a late goal when Abdoulaye Seck struck the post from a corner and Ismaila Sarr headed in the rebound.
After Diaz missed from the spot, momentum shifted decisively. Senegal struck the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time, stunning the home crowd of 66,526 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Sadio Mane won possession in midfield and fed Idrissa Gana Gueye, who in turn released Pape Gueye. The Villarreal midfielder shrugged off Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi and fired an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into the top corner to seal Senegal’s triumph.
What you should know
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s visit to Morocco comes at a sensitive moment, following the detention of Senegalese fans after a heated AFCON final.
While the incident strained emotions on both sides, Senegal and Morocco continue to maintain strong diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations. The visit signals an effort to prevent football-related tensions from spilling into broader diplomatic ties.
At the same time, the AFCON final itself has entered history as one of the tournament’s most controversial, combining Senegal’s dramatic extra-time victory with disciplinary and legal fallout that both governments are now keen to manage calmly.
