Former Coach of Ivory Coast and Zambia, Herve Renard has opened up on the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nation final between Morocco and Senegal, stressing the incident will remain in people’s mind for 30-40 years.
The world witnessed a chaotic final last Sunday, with Senegal emerging as the champions after recording a narrow victory over Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Senegal had left the field after referee Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty kick to Morocco, minutes after disallowing a goal for the Taranga Lions.
But Sadio Mane urged his teammates to return to the pitch for the continuation of the match. Their return paid off, with Pape Gueye netting the match winner after Brahim Diaz had squandered a penalty kick.
However, Renard, who is the current coach of Saudi Arabia has expressed his displeasure about the standoff in the high-profile final.
“The loser is the African continent. These events do not paint a pretty picture, but we do not have the power to change history.”
“It all started with a wrong decision by one man, which was the referee’s decision to cancel Sarr’s Senegalese goal on the grounds of a previous foul by Seck on Hakimi, which was not clear at all.”
“He blew his whistle too quickly. It’s easy to say that now that it’s too late, but he could have gone back to the video technology and made the right decision.”
“The Senegal-Morocco match, with its chaotic ending, will remain in people’s minds for the next thirty or forty years” he told Le Parisien.
Herve Renard has a rich history in the continental showpiece, guiding both Zambia and Ivory Coast to AFCON triumph in 2012 and 2015 respectively.
