Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has described the events that unfolded during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final as a shame to African football.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty, shortly after his side had an Ismaïla Sarr goal disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
Regragui labelled the scenes disappointing but still congratulated Senegal on winning the AFCON for the second time in their history following a 1–0 victory in an extremely tense final.
“The players will come back stronger; we congratulate Senegal. Even though the image we showed today of African football is disappointing, with everything that happened when the whistle was blown. Well, from the start of the competition, it was unhealthy, which is a shame,” Regragui said after the match.
“We congratulate them—well done to them. As for us, we will keep working, and Morocco will come back stronger.”
When asked about his decision to instruct his players to leave the pitch, Thiaw admitted he had been wrong.
“Quite simply, because we did not agree with the decision. I don’t want to dwell too much on that specific moment of the match, but after reflecting on it, I didn’t like how I acted,” Thiaw admitted.
He added: “In a moment of anger, I told the players to leave the pitch, and I apologise to the world of football for that. Once I calmed down and thought it over, I asked them to return to the field, and we all saw what happened after that.”
Senegal has now won the AFCON twice, while Morocco’s 50-year wait for the title continues.
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