Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has apologised for ordering his players to leave the pitch during the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Morocco on Sunday.
The showpiece was overshadowed when Senegal’s players temporarily refused to continue playing after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match still goalless.
Brahim Díaz, who went on to claim the Golden Shoe award, was brought down in the 98th minute by West Ham United full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded the penalty after being advised by the video assistant referee (VAR) to consult the pitchside monitor and review Diouf’s challenge on Díaz.
Amid dramatic scenes, Thiaw — still angered by Ndala’s earlier decision to disallow a Senegal goal — instructed his players to walk off the field.
Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané remained on the pitch, attempting to persuade his team-mates to return and see out the match.
After a delay of approximately 17 minutes, the players eventually resumed play.
Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye then scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time to secure a second Africa Cup of Nations title in five years for the Lions of Teranga.
In an interview with beIN Sports, Thiaw admitted that he should not have ordered his players off the pitch.
“We didn’t agree with the decision,” he said. “I don’t want to go over all the incidents. I apologise to football.
“After reflecting on it, I made them come back onto the pitch. You can react in the heat of the moment. We accept the referee’s decisions.
“We shouldn’t have done it, but it’s done, and now we present our apologies to football.”
It was Senegal’s second AFCON triumph in five years, having previously lifted the trophy in 2022 after defeating another North African nation, Egypt.
Gueye, who was named Man of the Match, told CAFOnline:
“I am very happy to win the final; it was a complicated match. After Morocco missed the penalty, we stayed focused, played our game, and showed Senegalese football.
“Then we scored the goal that allowed us to win the match. Scoring in a final is a moment of pride for me. I am very happy to score in the final, and most importantly, the Senegal national team now has a second star.”