Senegal star Sadio Mané has spoken out about the chaotic ending of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, criticising head coach Pape Thiaw’s decision to temporarily abandon the match against Morocco.
Mané described the episode as damaging to the team’s image and African football, saying that it “would have been better if we had lost” than to leave the pitch in protest.
The final, held at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on January 19, saw Senegal secure a 1-0 victory after extra time, claiming their second AFCON title and returning to the summit of African football for the first time since 2021. While Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal ultimately secured the trophy, attention largely focused on the dramatic stoppage in the closing minutes of regulation time.
In the eighth minute of stoppage time, with the score level at 0-0, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review of contact between Senegal’s Malick Diouf and Brahim Diaz.
Earlier, Senegal had seen a corner goal disallowed for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck, sparking Thiaw’s initial protests. Moments later, the Senegalese coach ordered his team off the pitch and into the locker room, halting the match for 16 minutes and creating confusion in the stands.
The situation was defused when Mané persuaded his teammates to return, preventing a potential forfeiture. Morocco failed to convert the penalty, with Diaz attempting a Panenka that was easily saved by Edouard Mendy, and the game proceeded into extra time.
Gueye’s decisive left-footed strike secured Senegal’s victory, but the controversy overshadowed the result.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui expressed disappointment not with the final score but with Senegal’s conduct, calling the incident “a shameful scene” and saying Thiaw’s actions did not respect African football. Thiaw later apologised, acknowledging that sending the players to the locker room was the wrong decision.
Mané emphasised the importance of professionalism and sportsmanship, especially on the global stage.
“Football is special. The whole world was watching. We must show a good image. To give up a match because of one penalty kick is the worst. It is especially so in African football. It would have been better to lose,” he said.
