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Senegal could be at risk of disqualification from the Africa Cup of Nations after breaching a competition rule during their dramatic final victory over hosts Morocco. Pape Gueye's stunning goal in extra time saw the Lions of Teranga achieve continental glory for the second time in four years. However, the final was marred by extraordinary scenes that unfolded in the closing stages of normal time.

Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty in the dying seconds of the game, leading to widespread fury among the Senegal players. What followed were farcical scenes as manager Pape Thiaw ordered his team to leave the field of play in protest against the decision. The match was delayed for almost 20 minutes before Sadio Mane ran into the dressing room and convinced his team-mates to return.

Morocco forward Brahim Diaz eventually stepped up to take the crucial spot-kick but missed terribly, with his attempted chip landing straight in the gloves of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

The botched effort proved costly for Morocco, who were pegged back in extra time when Gueye found the top corner with a brilliant strike. It turned out to be the winning goal, but there is a chance that Senegal could still be stripped of the title.

According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rulebook, teams who leave the field of play of their own accord risk being disqualified from the tournament.

Article 64 states that if a team "refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered looser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition."

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui took aim at Senegal after the final whistle, blasting the 'shameful' scenes that unfolded at the end of normal time.

"The image we gave of African football was rather shameful," he said. "Having to stop the game for more than 10 minutes with the world watching is not very classy."

Regragui also suggested that Diaz's penalty miss was influenced by the lengthy stoppage, adding: "He had a lot of time before taking the penalty which must have disturbed him.

"But we can't change what happened. That is how he chose to take the penalty. We need to look forward now."

Morocco were desperate to win the title in front of their own fans and become African champions for the second time, having previously lifted the trophy in 1976.

"Football sometimes is cruel and today we lost, we know in a final that you get few chances and you need to take them," said Regragui.

"That penalty in the last seconds could have won us the title, but it was not to be. We could talk for hours but I hope this squad comes back stronger.

"Now we know what it takes to get to a final, we hadn't reached one for 22 years. We have missed the chance of a lifetime."