The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco on Sunday delivered a night of high drama, marked by unusual touchline incidents, a controversial penalty decision, and a decisive extra-time goal that sealed the title.
As rain fell steadily at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, attention shifted early to the Senegal goalie area.
During the match, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel — used to keep his gloves dry in the drizzle — repeatedly went missing.
Footage circulating during the game showed Senegal’s reserve goalkeeper, Yehvan Diouf, repeatedly retrieving towels and handing them to Mendy amid interactions with ball boys and Moroccan reserve players.
An X user on Monday, Oxford & Harvard, with the handle #SeyiGlobal, shared a clip with the caption: “Big Shout out to Senegal’s reserve goal keeper Yehvan Diouf, who was active all throughout the game handing Edouard Mendy his towel and fighting off ball boys and Moroccan players. A Real Soldier.”
Watch the videos here:
𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎𝐒: 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐚𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐨, 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐅𝐂𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥
Credit: X | Gb Reigns, MEC BIEN
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A second video later emerged, by an X user, Sxnti, with the handle #PeakSxnti, and shared with the caption: “Hakimi throwing Mendy’s Towel to the ball boy to hide.. They enabled them actually this is a disgrace.”
The footage appeared to show Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi throwing the towel away from the immediate pitch-side area.
The towel incidents echoed earlier moments from the tournament.
Similar scenes had been reported during the semifinal, when Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was involved in comparable exchanges against Morocco.
Throwing a jibe at them after the final loss, Nwabali posted on Instagram, ” Make una use all my towel una carry wipe your tears.”
As the match progressed, the drama intensified.
In the closing stages of regulation time, a controversial penalty was awarded against Senegal, prompting Senegalese players to walk off the pitch in protest. The final was delayed before the team eventually returned to resume play.
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz, of Real Madrid, stepped up to take the penalty but failed to convert, with Mendy saving the attempt.
The match moved into extra time, where Senegal found the breakthrough.
A goal in extra time secured a 1–0 victory, handing the Teranga Lions the AFCON 2025 title after a final defined by delays, disputes, and decisive moments at both ends of the pitch.