Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has launched a scathing attack on Senegal and their handler Pape Thiaw over the dramatic scenes that marred the closing stages of the AFCON 2025 final, describing the conduct as “shameful” and unworthy of African football.
Senegal eventually defeated Morocco 1–0 after extra time to lift their second Africa Cup of Nations title, but the final was overshadowed by controversy following a late penalty award to the hosts.
Drama erupted deep into stoppage time when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, after a VAR review, awarded Morocco a penalty for a challenge on Brahim Diaz by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf, with the match still goalless.
The decision triggered angry protests from Senegal, with several players walking off the pitch after coach Thiaw led them away in protest. The standoff halted play for nearly 20 minutes, throwing the stadium into chaos.
When play eventually resumed, Diaz fluffed the spot-kick, his weak chipped effort easily saved, forcing the match into extra time.
Senegal later sealed victory through a thunderous strike from Pape Gueye, clinching the title amid lingering controversy.
Reacting after the final whistle, an enraged Regragui accused Senegal of embarrassing African football on the global stage.
“The image we gave of Africa is shameful. A coach who asks his players to leave the field — what Pape did does not honour Africa,” Regragui said.
“He had already started in the press conference. He wasn’t classy. But he is a champion, so he can say whatever he wants.”
The Moroccan coach admitted the prolonged delay affected his players, particularly Diaz, but stopped short of blaming the missed penalty solely on the disruption.
“We stopped the match in the eyes of the world for 10 minutes. That didn’t help Brahim. But it doesn’t excuse the way he hit the penalty,” he said.
“We were one minute away from being African champions. That’s football — cruel at times. We missed what, for some, was the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Senegal’s match-winner Pape Gueye defended his team’s walk-off, insisting it was driven by a sense of injustice.
“What we felt was injustice. There had been a foul for us and the referee chose not to look at VAR,” Gueye said.
“We were frustrated, but Sadio Mané told us to come back on the pitch and remobilise. We returned to give everything — and we did.”
Despite Morocco’s impressive 26-game unbeaten run under Regragui since their historic World Cup semi-final appearance, the coach came under fire after the loss, with some journalists calling for his resignation.
Regragui dismissed the calls, urging calm and perspective.
“Winning the Africa Cup is not easy. We were very close. Everyone is disappointed, but in football you must accept what has happened, be humble and come back stronger,” he said.
