Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has addressed the dramatic events surrounding their 1-0 victory over Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday evening.
The match reached a tense climax when Morocco was awarded a penalty in the final moments of regular time, sparking protests from the Senegalese team. At one point, coach Pape Thiaw instructed the players to withdraw, before Sadio Mane urged them to return to the field.
Brahim Diaz ultimately missed the penalty for Morocco, and moments later, Pape Gueye scored the winning goal for Senegal.
Speaking to French network RMC, Mendy stressed that Senegal won the AFCON because they worked for it.
“Morocco has been waiting for this cup for more than 50 years. All the conditions were favourable to them, but we succeeded in responding in our own way, and tonight we celebrate with Senegal. We were determined to win this final match, to bring the cup home. Millions of Senegalese are happy, and we will enjoy this victory,” he said.
Mendy added, “We did our best, we did not cheat, Senegal are the African champions, and we are very happy.”
Despite his top performances at AFCON 2025, Edouard Mendy missed out on the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award to Morocco’s Yaccine Bonou.
