Senegal completed a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations triumph in Rabat, and goalkeeper Édouard Mendy has used the days following the final to shine a light on the work carried out away from the spotlight during the tournament.
The Lions of Teranga were crowned African champions on Sunday, 18 January, after edging hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a tense and emotionally charged final.
The victory delivered Senegal’s second AFCON title, adding to the historic success achieved in 2021.
Played in a hostile atmosphere at the Rabat stadium, the final tested Senegal’s composure and resilience.
Morocco, backed by a passionate home crowd, pushed hard for a breakthrough, but Senegal remained disciplined and patient.
The decisive moment eventually arrived in extra time, allowing Pape Thiaw’s side to hold on and bring the trophy back to Dakar after a month-long campaign marked by consistency and control.
Central to that success was Édouard Mendy, whose calm authority and decisive interventions proved vital at key moments.
The goalkeeper produced a crucial penalty save from Diaz in the final, a moment that swung the momentum firmly in Senegal’s favour and underlined his importance throughout the competition.
In a message posted on Instagram several days after the final, Mendy chose not to focus on individual accolades or match-winning moments. Instead, he paid tribute to those working behind the scenes, crediting their contribution to Senegal’s continental success.
“A thousand thanks to the unsung heroes who brought us into the spotlight throughout this competition, not only in the eyes of Africa, but also the entire world. A huge thank you to the Federation for providing the resources to ensure such coverage. More to come, all together,” wrote the Senegalese goalkeeper.
His message highlighted the collective effort that underpinned Senegal’s triumph, from technical and medical staff to administrators and organisers who supported the team throughout the tournament.
It also reflected the unity within the squad, a defining feature of Senegal’s campaign from the group stage through to the final.
For Senegal, the victory in Morocco confirms their status as one of Africa’s leading football nations.
For Mendy, the words shared after the final served as a reminder that success at the highest level is built not only on moments on the pitch, but also on sustained work carried out beyond public view.
