Senegal were crowned champions of the Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic and controversial final against Morocco that was briefly interrupted by a protest from the Senegalese players following a reviewed penalty decision.
What Happened in the Final
The AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco was fiercely contested, with both teams battling for control in a tense encounter. The defining moment of the match came when the referee, after consulting VAR, reviewed and awarded a penalty, sparking outrage from the Senegalese bench and players.
In protest, several Senegal players temporarily left the pitch, refusing to continue play as emotions boiled over what they felt was an unfair decision. However, Sadio Mané remained on the field and played a vital role in persuading his teammates to return, working alongside match officials and team staff. After several tense minutes, the players returned to the pitch to resume the match and play was able to continue.
Despite the disruption and pressure, Senegal regrouped, kept their composure and went on to win the match, sealing the AFCON title in dramatic fashion.
Thiaw: “We Apologise to Football”
After the match, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw admitted that his team’s reaction crossed the line and issued an apology:
I don’t want to go over all the incidents. I apologise for the football. After reflecting on it I made them come back on the pitch — you can react in the heat of the moment. We accept the errors of the referee. We shouldn’t have done it but it’s done and now we present our apologies to football.”
— Pape Thiaw, Senegal Head Coach told (beIN Sports)
Thiaw explained that while his players felt strongly about the decision, respect for the game had to come first, which was why he instructed them to return and finish the match.
Regragui Reacts: “The Image We Gave of Africa Is Shameful”
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui strongly criticised Senegal’s decision to leave the pitch, describing the incident as damaging to the image of African football despite his team’s defeat in the final.
The image we’ve given of Africa is shameful. A coach who asks his players to leave the field. What Pape did does not honour Africa. Thiaw wasn’t classy. But he is a champion, so he can say whatever he wants. We stopped the match in the eyes of the world for 10 minutes, Regragui said after the match.
The Moroccan tactician insisted that while controversial refereeing decisions are part of football, abandoning the pitch, especially in a continental final watched globally was unacceptable and set a poor example for the game on the African stage.
Senegal Lift Trophy After Controversial Night
Senegal’s victory, however, will be remembered not only for their triumph but also for the extraordinary scenes of protest and tension that overshadowed the final stages of the match. While the trophy belongs to Senegal, the incident has sparked debate about officiating, VAR use, and player conduct in high-pressure games.
CAF is expected to review the events of the final, with possible disciplinary discussions to follow.
