Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr was taken to hospital after falling ill during the AFCON final.

Senegal clinched the AFCON crown with a tense 1–0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in Rabat, but Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr was unable to take part after falling ill during the final.

The 23-year-old had been named among the substitutes and was asked to warm up before half-time when Lamine Camara picked up a knock. Although Camara was able to continue, Sarr’s condition deteriorated, and he was joined by teammates Krepin Diatta and Ousseynou Niang, who also became unwell during the warm-up.

Broadcast footage showed Diatta doubled over on the pitch, while Niang needed assistance to return to the dressing room. After the match, Camara revealed that all three players were taken to hospital and expressed hope that they were recovering well. Senegalese outlet Taggat later reported that the trio were stable at Mohammed VI Hospital, with Niang cleared to rejoin the team at their hotel, while Diatta and Sarr remained under observation. Niang’s club, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, later confirmed he had returned to the Senegal camp and was doing fine.

However, Senegal full-back Ismail Jakobs hinted that the illnesses may not have been purely coincidental, suggesting there were strange occurrences before and during the match that could emerge later.

Celebration plans are now in place for Senegal to parade the AFCON trophy at home on Tuesday, though it remains uncertain whether Sarr will be fit enough to travel to Dakar. Veteran midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye dedicated the triumph to the affected players, saying the squad carried them in their thoughts throughout the final.

On the field, Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye struck the decisive extra-time goal after a dramatic finale. Senegal also saw a late effort from Ismaila Sarr ruled out, while Morocco were controversially awarded a penalty following a VAR check. Senegal briefly walked off in protest before returning on captain Sadio Mané’s orders. Brahim Díaz then attempted a panenka from the spot, but Edouard Mendy calmly saved it to seal a historic victory for Senegal.