Senegal secured a dramatic 33-28 sudden death victory over Morocco in the 5th Place Final of the Rugby Africa Cup 2025, capping off one of the most thrilling encounters of the tournament held at Namboole Stadium.
The match began at a blistering pace with Senegal taking an early lead through Khadim Cissé’s try in the 5th minute, though Ahmeth Sall missed the conversion.
Morocco responded with a penalty from El Khattabi Ilan in the 31st minute before Hou Youness crossed the line for a converted try to give Morocco a 10-5 advantage. Saïbo Sakho narrowed the deficit with a penalty just before halftime to make it 10-8.
In the second half, El Khattabi Ilan added another penalty for Morocco, but Senegal came roaring back through a well-worked try by Mamodou Niang, converted by Sakho, putting them ahead 15-13.
The back-and-forth battle continued with Qadiri Karim scoring a brilliant solo try for Morocco, only for Sakho to respond with back-to-back penalties that pushed Senegal ahead 21-18.
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El Khattabi Ilan equalized with a penalty in the 74th minute, but Senegal surged ahead again with a late try from Demba Kane, converted by Sakho to make it 28-21.
Morocco, however, capitalized on a late sin-bin to Momath Semou Diame, scoring through El Khaoualni Billal with Ilan converting to tie the game 28-28 and force extra time.
Despite a missed penalty by Sakho in the 93rd minute, the game remained deadlocked through extra time until Mamodou Ndiaye broke through in the 108th minute, scoring the golden try that handed Senegal a thrilling 33-28 win and 5th place in the tournament.
