The Blues duo, on loan at Strasbourg and Bayern Munich respectively this season, started for the Lions of Teranga. Sarr stepped up in the absence of the suspended Kalidou Koulibaly, performing admirably in the heart of the Senegal defence.

Jackson meanwhile led the line until being subbed off a couple of minutes into stoppage time, just after the final took its first dramatic turn.

A Senegal corner was headed against the post by Abdoulaye Seck before Ismaila Sarr nodded the rebound into the net. However, the referee’s whistle had already been blown for a foul by Seck that Senegal felt was harsh.

After Jackson was replaced, Morocco won a corner at the other end. Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz fell to the ground under pressure from El Hadji Malick Diouf, and VAR recommended the referee go to the screen. He subsequently awarded a penalty to the hosts.

Bedlam broke out on the touchline. The Senegalese management and players were apoplectic at the decision, and their head coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch. Many went back into the dressing room.

Eventually, some 15 minutes after the penalty was awarded, the Senegal players all returned to the pitch, seemingly led by captain Sadio Mane.

Brahim Diaz took the penalty and opted for a Panenka that former Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy read, simply catching the ball.

Diaz was left in tears, yet extra-time was still to come. And four minutes into it, Pape Gueye blasted Senegal in front with a stunning finish from the edge of the box.

It was a goal worthy of winning a major tournament, and so it proved. That despite Nayef Aguerd crashing a header against Mendy’s bar for Morocco, and Yassine Bounou twice brilliantly thwarting Jackson’s replacement Cherif Ndiaye. Before all the late drama, both sides had one good chance apiece to take the lead, but neither Illiman Ndiaye nor Ayoub El Kaabi could convert clear opportunities.

So, for the second time in three tournaments – and the second time in their history – Senegal are AFCON champions. Just as in the 2021 edition, two Senegalese Chelsea players have their hands on the trophy. Well done Mamadou and Nicolas!