Senegal defender Ismail Jakobs raves about first AFCON trophy

Senegal defender, Ismail Jakobs has reacted with much pride over his first Africa Cup of Nations trophy with the Teranga Lions.

The Galatasaray left-back who was born in Germany, played three games with an assist at the 2025 AFCON as Senegal romped to a 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in the finals at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday.

Pape Gueye latched onto Idrissa Gana Gueye’s pass after Sadio Mane’s back flick before driving a shot past Yassine Bounou from outside the penalty area for their second Africa Cup of Nations title. Pape Gueye’s 94th minute winner came after Real Madrid star, Brahim Diaz had squandered a penalty that could have won Morocco a second cup.

The beauty of the final was marred by dramatic incidents when Senegal threatened to walk away after a penalty was awarded to Morocco, causing a 14-minute hold up.

Jakobs, who made his debut for Senegal in 2022, however expressed joy over his first trophy.

“It feels amazing, I don’t know what to say but [an] amazing feeling and I am just happy,” Ismail Jakobs said.

“I think tension is normal but there are a lot of things that happened before the match, during the match [and I think the people are going to speak about this but in the end we won this one. If we didn’t win there was going to be a lot of trouble.

“We are happy and proud that we can bring the cup to Senegal and make the whole country proud of us.”

Jakobs, 26, played in all four of Senegal’s matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as they reached the round of 16 for the first time since its debut in 2002.

He was a member of Senegal’s squad for the postponed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in the Ivory Coast.

Senegal’s first Africa Cup of Nations came in 2021 in Cameroon after beating record holders Egypt 4-2 on penalty shootouts. Morocco on the other hand have to still wait for their first AFCON trophy since last lifting the cup in 1976.

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